Barako Bull’s Felix Belano (right) loses the ball off Coca-Cola’s Alex Cabagnot during PBA action Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Barako Bull, a team without established stars, took advantage of Asi Taulava’s early departure and downed Coca-Cola, 81-73, on Sunday night in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Late in the night, Jayjay Helterbrand poured seven of his 19 points in the last two minutes to lift Barangay Ginebra to a 95-87win over Purefoods TJ Hotdogs.

The Kings picked up their second win in as many start.

Shooting guard Magnum Membrere, one of the team’s five holdovers, came off the bench to score 14 points, including a three-pointer that gave the Energy Boosters a 76-70 advantage with 2:18 left in the game.

Rookie guard Ogie Menor, the seventh overall pick in the previous Draft, had earlier nailed a triple to put Barako Bull ahead, 73-70, with 3:01 to play.

The win levelled the Boosters’ win-loss record to 1-1 as they bounced back from an 83-99 setback to the Alaska Aces last Wednesday.

The Tigers went down to their second straight defeat.

Isaac said the team is out to prove something.

“It’s a new group composed of many young players and some veterans,” the Boosters’ coach Leo Isaac said.

“All of them gusto nila ma-recognize as magaling na PBA players. Ang worry lang namin is mawala na sa desenyo ‘yung team effort and maging individual na. Most of them know kung nasa ibang teams sila, hindi sila mabibigyan ng playing time,” he added.

Chad Alonzo, traded by Purefoods late last conference, Alonzo had 10 points and six rebounds.

“Sa ibang teams, baka limited time lang sila. But here, we want to give them the exposure. That’s what we’re trying to build up, through that we channel it, maging maganda samahan, maging competitive, kung makakapanalo kami, bakit hindi,” Isaac said.

Taulava sprained an ankle following a loose ball scramble late in the first period. He had two points and three boards in nine minutes.

Dennis Espino, who was acquired by the Tigers from Sta. Lucia Realty, had 15 points and seven rebounds for Coke. Norman Gonzales, who was also part of the trade with SLR, added 12 and Marvin Cruz had 11.

Coke lost to Sta. Lucia in its debut game, 76-95, last Friday.

Coke actually dictated the tempo in the first half, leading by 12 a couple of time, the last was at 40-28, on a lay-up by Cruz. Halftime ended with Coke up, 45-41.

Meanwhile, Burger King point guard Wynne Arboleda will appear today at the PBA Commissioner’s Office to air his side of the mauling incident that marred the match between Burger King and Smart Gilas last Friday.

Arboleda, who is expected to get heavy fines and suspension, and the Burger King management, led by team representative and PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, have already made a public apology.

First Game
Barako Bull 81 — Membrere 14, Duncil 11, Alonzo 10, Najorda 9, Aljamal 8, Crisano 7, Belano 7, Menor 6, Lao 5, Viray 2, Dimaunahan 2, Faundo 0.
Coca-Cola 73 — Espino 15, Gonzales N. 12, Cruz 11, Rodriguez 10, Caagnot 10, Calimag 6, Ross 3, Bono 2, Catli 2, Taulava 2, Gonzales W. 0.
Quarters: 19-22, 41-45, 55-58, 81-73.

Second Game
Ginebra 95 — Helterbrand 19, Wilson 16, Tubid 14, Villanueva 10, Mamaril 9, Salvacion 9, Caguioa 8, Intal 5, Baguio 4, Cruz 1, Alvarez 0.
Purefoods 87 — Yap J. 21, Simon 16, Yap R. 13, Maierhofer 9, Artadi 8, Pingris 8, Raymundo 6, Timberlake 3, Allado 2, Reavis 1, Canaleta 0.
Quarters: 23-22, 38-39, 66-61, 95-87.