The unheralded Barako Bull Energy Colas continued their surprising run, earning a piece of the lead in the standings with a 95-86 win over Kia Carnival yesterday in the 40th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Barako Bull remained unbeaten with its third straight victory as it joined the defending champions Purefoods Star Hotshots and the Meralco Bolts, who are also off to 3-0 starts in the mid-season tournament.
The Barangay Ginebra Kings, on the other hand, finally barged into the win column while keeping the San Miguel Beermen winless following a 95-82 decision.
Nigerian import Solomon Alabi put up big numbers for the Energy Colas as he finished with 26 points, 20 rebounds and eight blocked shots.
JC Intal netted 18 points and four steals while Chico Lanete contributed 10 for Barako Bull.
Kia, which came off an 88-78 upset win over San Miguel, dropped to 1-3, losing in the return of head coach Manny Pacquiao.
Seven-for-three import Peter John Ramos paced Kia with 34 points and 20 rebounds.
Michael Duniga, meanwhile, helped Ginebra snap a two-game slide by firing 29 points. He was backed by Greg Slaughter, Mark Caguioa and Joseph Yeo, who finished with 18, 17 and 14 markers, respectively.
Ronald Roberts Jr. tallied 21 points, Chris Lutz had 12 and Marcio Lassiter had 10 for the Beermen, who absorbed their second straight defeat.
Arwind Santos struggled for just six points. The lanky forward had been struggling with his three-point shooting as he is now 0-for-14 since making a crucial trifecta in their Game 7 win over Alaska that netted the Beermen’s Philippine Cup crown.