Jervy Cruz of Rain or Shine goes to the basket against Barako Bull's Alex Crisano during their PBA games at the Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night. (Photo by ALI VICOY)

Games on Friday (Araneta Coliseum)
5:00 p.m. — Coca-Cola vs. Purefoods
7:30 p.m. — Sta. Lucia vs. Burger King

Barako Bull rode on a big second quarter run and then held on firmly to hand Rain or Shine its fourth straight loss with an 89-81 victory in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Richard Alonzo, one of the team's eight recruits in the off-season, finished in double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds — both career highs — while Leo Najorda and Alex Crisano had 14 points apiece as the Energy Boosters pick up their second win in four starts.

The win enabled Barako Bull to tie Vurger King for sixth in thes standing while Rain or Shine remained winless in four starts, the franchise's worst start since the same 0-4 record back in the 2008 Fiesta Cup.

The 6-foot-6 Crisano scored all of his 14 points in the second period, going 3-of-3 from the field including two from the three-point territory, and 6-of-7 from the foul line.

In that run, the Energy Boosters converted 12-of-21 tries for a high 57.1 percent clip from the field, while holding the Elasto Painters to a miserable 5-of-14 or 35.7 percent and forcing them to commit nine turnovers.

Barako Bull quickly erased a eight-point lead, 10-18, late in the opening period when it trimmed the deficit to only four, 26-30, entering the second frame.

Led by Crisano, Barako Bull then uncorked a 38-9 blast that gave them the game's biggest lead at 25 points, 64-39, on a jumper by rookie Ogie Menor with 1:58 to play before the halftime break.

The Energy Boosters were up, 64-43, after two quarters.

"We had a great first two quarters and when we went to the locker room at halftime, we already had insurance because of that big lead," Barako BUll coach Leo Isaac said.

"We know they'll make a comeback, but in the long run masyado malaki 'yung lead namin, which is enough cushion. As long as walang fastbreak and easy points, basta andun kami sa depensa," Isaac added.

A big flop for the Painters owned by Raymond Yu and Terry Que was Jay-R Reyes, who was held to just four points.

The scores:

First Game:
BARAKO BULL — Alonzo 15, Najorda 14, Crisano 14, Menor 9, Membrere 9, Aljamal 7, DImaunahan 6, Belano 6, Duncil 4, Lao 3, Hubalde 2.

RAIN OR SHINE — Norwood 17, Mercado 14, Arellano 9, Cruz 6, Chan 6, Laure 6, Tang 5, Telan 5, Reyes 4, Araña 3, Ibañes 3, Hrabak 3.

Quarters: 26-30, 64-43, 75-60, 89-81.