MANILA, Philippines - Cyrus Baguio made a big impact in his first game as an Alaska Milk player, fueling the team’s comeback from 15 points down as the Aces withstood the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 86-81, at the resumption of the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum last night.
Baguio took charge at the finish, stealing the thunder from Willie Miller as Alaska made it five in a row versus Ginebra dating back to their Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals showdown swept by the Aces.
Baguio and the Aces stunned the Kings with a huge closing run, overcoming a poor first half in notching a third straight win following a 0-2 win-loss start in the season-ending tourney.
“We’re totally out of whack in the beginning. Mark Caguioa was going crazy and we couldn’t stop him. Then Cyrus turned things around for us,” said Alaska coach Tim Cone on Baguio’s heroics.
“Willie (Miller) would certainly have his moments and Ginebra would love him, but tonight’s Cyrus’ night,” Cone added.
“I didn’t expect it. I was kind of gun shy in the beginning. Good thing, I got my game going in the end and I was able to help my new team win the game,” said Baguio.
San Miguel Beer, making key adjustments and coming up fresh from the All-Star break, clobbered Rain or Shine, 105-97, in the first game,
The Beermen pummeled the Elasto Painters in the first three quarters and simply went through the motion at the finish as they firmed up their hold of the lead with a 6-1 card.
Coach Siot Tanquingcen and his troops stretched their streak to five games while dealing the Elasto Painters their third loss in six starts.
Meanwhile, second-running Talk n Text also seeks a fifth straight victory as the Texters play the Air21 Express and new import Reggie Larry in a rare Saturday double-header at the Astrodome tonight.
Coca-Cola and Sta. Lucia Realty mix it up in the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser of the weekend bill serving as part of the PBA Phoenix Fuel on Tour.
“The break worked to our advantage. We’re a bit banged up before the break. We’re able to rest our players and at the same time worked on several things,” said Tanquingcen.