Barako Bull Energy won over Alaska Aces 103-90 for game 1 win

Even if their import finished the game scoreless, the Barako Bull went on to win 103-90 over the Alaska Aces to take game 1 of their best of three quarterfinals match.

With their import still adjusting, the veterans of the Barako Bull took charge, especially new acquisition Ronald Tubid which led the team with 24 points.

"He is not yet acclimatized to the system of play in the PBA," said Baculi of their Nigerian import.

"Making it harder for him is that these are the playoffs and playoffs in the PBA are tough. If you're not cut out for these you will not survive," added Baculi, baring they are still trying to bring back Rodney White, who averaged a conference leading 29.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists in the five games he played here before being forced to attend to his ailing father back home.

Alaska played well on the first quarter which had them leading 27-17 but in the second quarter the Barako Bull veterans stepped to eventually grab a 1 point lead 48-47 leading the the halftime.

Danny Seigle who has been sidelined to injuries this conference, came off the bench to score 21 points and became the 34th and latest member of the 2,000 defensive rebounds club with six boards.

Alaska was led by Cyrus Baguio with 20 points and LA Tenorio with 19 points. But clearly needed the help of their import which only managed to score 11 points.

Barako Bull will go for the series win this Wednesday.

Meralco Bolts wins Game 1 over B-MEG Llamados 103-81

The Meralco Bolts came out on fire in Game 1 of their best of three match against B-MEG Llamados. The Bolts outplayed the Llamados from the opening tip off, starting with their point guard Chris Ross who pressured the Llamados point guard, which disrupted B-MEG's triangle offense, on top of that Bolts import Earl Barron clearly outplayed his counterpart Bowles in the opening quarter which saw Meralco Bolts leading 32-19 and then finishing the first half with a 54-38 lead.

"This is a first playoff win for us in five conferences. It's an enormous breakthrough for this franchise," said Gregorio.

"But we know that a best of three isn't win by one game. After taking a shower, we'll focus again for Wednesday," Gregorio added.

The Llamados actually waged a chase in the second half even cutting the lead to 3 80-77, but that was the closest the Llamados can get, as Cardona spearheaded a spirited 18-0 run to scutle B-MEG's bid.

Meralco Bolts import Earl Barron lead all scorers with 34 points while Cardona added 22 points to help the Bolts which can go for the clincher in game two this Wednesday at 5:15 pm.

The Llamados was lead by James Yap with 21 points, Bowles added 18 but was clearly outplayed by Barron.