PBA: Lowly Barako Bull deals mighty Alaska first loss

Barako Bull leaned on its one-two punch in Denok Miranda and RR Garcia to topple the league's top team Alaska, 85-78, on Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

"Kung may Abueva ang Alaska, kami may Denok," said Barako head coach Koy Banal. "Yung energy niya inside the floor and off the floor, si Mick, si William, si Chico, everybody's contributing. It's hard with the kind of materials we have but everything is possible to those who believe. Mixed with hardwork, it's possible."

The Aces suffered their first defeat in the 2015 Philippine Cup after winning their first six assignments. Barako Bull, meanwhile, came into the game with the third worst record in the league.

Miranda had 21 points, while Garcia added 18 to lead Barako's starters. Jake Pascual had another solid game, posting 12 points with nine rebounds and a block for Barako, which won its second straight game to improve to 2-5..

Denok Miranda caught fire in the second, shattering a 20-20 deadlock by connecting on jumpers. Leaning on a 29-13 quarter, Barako led by as much as 18 points heading into the halftime break, 49-31.

The Aces bit back, limiting to Energy to just 16 in the third while scoring 23. Alaska trimmed the lead to 11 at the close of the third, 65-54.

Vic Manuel led Alaska's final push in the fouth, slashing the lead to seven, 67-60. A Dondon Hontinveros trey trimmed the lead further, but RR Garcia knocked down jumpers when it mattered, bumping the lead back to eight, 75-67, with 5:46 left. The Aces failed to match Barako's baskets in the final stretch, as they absorbed their first loss of the conference.

Calvin Abueva led Alaska in scoring with 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Jayvee Casio chipped in 13, but Cyrus Baguio was limited to three points with a 1-of-9 shooting clip. Vic Manuel chipped in 15 points and six boards off the bench. - Renee Fopalan/JST, GMA news

The scores:

BARAKO 85 - Miranda 21, Garcia 18, Pascual 12, Lanete 10, Intal 8, Lastimosa 7, Wilson 6, Hubalde 2, Pennisi 1, Salvador 0, Salva 0, Marcelo 0, Paredes 0.

ALASKA 78 - Abueva 16, Manuel 15, Casio 13, Hontiveros 8, Jazul 8, Menk 5, Banchero 4, Exciminiano 4, Baguio 3, Thoss 2, Eman 0, Dela Rosa 0, Bugia 0, Dela Cruz 0.

Quarters: 20-18, 49-31, 65-54, 85-78