Pascual’s breakout game powers Barako Bull to 1st win

Games Tuesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Blackwater vs Purefoods

7 p.m. – Talk n Text vs Globalport

MANILA, Philippines – No. 8 draft pick Jake Pascual finally came through with his breakout game in the pros, and Barako Bull scored its first win in the season with an 87-71 drubbing of Kia in the 2014 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Averaging measly 3.4 point and 4.8 rebounds in their first five games, Pascual piled up 22 points and 12 rebounds as the Energy foiled the Sorento’s bid to nail a win that they could offer to playing coach Manny Pacquiao before his match on Sunday in Macau.

“I understand it’s their motivation in this match. They’re saying coach Manny has been good to them, and they want something to give in return,” said Barako Bull coach Koy Banal.

“So it’s like a championship match. I read it aloud (in the dugout before the game). It seemed to have stuck on the mind of my players,” Banal also said.

And thus while Kia is heading for Macau to watch Pacquiao in action, Barako Bull, with the win, could be heading for the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Another crucial match for Barako Bull is its Nov. 26 tiff with Blackwater.

Banal was hoping Dorian Pena is already fit to return by then. The burly Fil-Am center is joining Barako in practice for the first time today since his recovery from his ankle surgery.