Games Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City)
5 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Barako Bull
7:30 p.m. — Sta. Lucia vs Talk ’N Text

Coca-Cola won back-to-back games for the first time this season, stunning league-leader Alaska, 105-92, to boost its playoff chances in the KFC-PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

In his third game back after missing eight times because of a right sprained ankle, the 6-foot-9 Asi Taulava finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds in a dominating show of force.

The Tigers opened the game with an 11-0 salvo and led by as many as 30 points, 90-60, on a jumper by Wesley Gonzales with nine minutes left to play.

San Miguel Beer, on the other hand, avenged a first round setback to Ginebra with a 91-86 overtime win in the second game.

Playmaker Jonas Villanueva scored 17 points to lead the Beermen, who solidified their grip at solo second with a 12-3 win-loss card while the Kings tied the Purefoods Giants at fourth with identical 8-6 records.

It was Coke’s third win in 14 games to take a half-game ahead on Barako Bull (2-11) but still a half-game behind Rain or Shine (3-10) in the wild race for the final spot in the knockout wildcard phase of the all-Filipino conference.

The setback ended Alaska’s five-game winning streak, although it was only the Aces’ second loss to remain on top with an 11-2 record. Their other loss was inflicted by Rain or Shine.

“I’ve been trying to emphasize to the team that it doesn’t matter if we play Alaska,” said Coke coach Bo Perasol.