PBA: Veteran Barako Bull quintet takes first win versus Alaska

Turns out the veteran savvy of the Barako Bull Energy locals is more than enough to produce a postseason win.   Energy head coach Junel Baculi sat new import Reggie Okosa early on, and his side showed no ill-effects for the move, overhauling a huge deficit to post a 103-90 win over the Alaska Aces Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum, in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner's Cup.  

Down by as much as 27-13 in the first quarter, Danny Seigle and Ronald Tubid knotted things up at 33-all on a three-point play by Tubid and knocked the wind out of Alaska's sails, as Barako Bull woke up from their early malaise.   Don Allado's made heave from just short of the half-court line to end the first half, a shot that gave his side the lead at the break, just exemplified the sort of night his team had. His desperation triple made it 48-47, but Alaska went right back at the Energy out of halftime, with Cyrus Baguio and LA Tenorio regaining the lead.   The rally was short-lived however, thanks in part to sloppy play by the Aces. An offensive goaltend coupled with a technical foul on reserve center Samigue Eman at the 6:16 mark of the third gave Allado a technical charity that pushed them ahead, 59-58, this time for good.   The Aces still had their chances in the final quarter, thanks in large part to Baguio. The former UST Growling Tiger made it a two-point game at the 10:33 mark, 79-77, and when the Energy responded by inflating the gap to six, Baguio canned another trey, 83-80, 5:42 left. But the Aces' offense ran out of spark late, managing just ten more points, half of what Barako Bull dropped in to close out the game.   Ronald Tubid led all players with 24 points, connecting on 10 of his 19 attempts. Danny Seigle and Don Allado combined for 37 points and 15 rebounds, part of a bench mob that outscored their Alaska counterparts 57-12.   The Energy’s new import Reggie Okosa went scoreless in 17 minutes of play, missing all seven of his attempts, as the big man clearly hadn't adjusted yet to his new team. He replaced former NBA draft pick Rodney White, who returned to the United States last week to tend to his ailing father.   The backcourt of Alaska, Baguio and LA Tenorio, combined for 39 points but needed 38 attempts to get that. Their import, Adam Parada, was held in check by Energy big men Dorian Pena and Mick Pennisi, producing just 11 markers and 14 boards.   Game two of the best-of-three series will be held on Wednesday, April 4. - KBK, GMA News The scores: Barako Bull Energy 103 - Tubid 24, Seigle 21, Allado 16, Miller 14, Najorda 12, Pena 8, Arboleda 6, Gatumbato 2, Okosa 0, Weinstein 0, Pennisi 0. Alaska Aces 90 - Baguio 20, Tenorio 19, Baracael 18, Parada 11, Thoss 10, Custodio 8, Eman 2, Gonzales 2, Salamat 0, Bugia 0. Quarter scoring: 17-27, 48-47, 79-74, 103-90