Barako Bull Energy vs Alaska Aces

MANILA, Philippines – Barako Bull and B-Meg rose in their respective Easter Sunday knockout games to secure the last slots in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Final Four.

The Energy bundled out the Alaska Milk Aces, 106-85, to set up a best-of-five semifinal showdown with the reigning champions Talk n Text Tropang Texters while the Llamados eased out the Meralco Bolts, 86-76, to advance to the next round versus the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

“I have to give credit where it is due. We have a team with an average age of about 34 to 35. They refused to give up. In Tagalog term, pinakita nilang may asim pa sila,” said Barako coach Junel Baculi.

“It’s just so nice to advance to the semis,” said B-Meg coach Tim Cone.

Barako and Talk n Text meet in a rematch of their Commissioner’s Cup semis match-up last year, opening their series at 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

B-Meg and Ginebra, pitted in a playoff series for the first time in 15 years, start their duel Wednesday in the same venue.

Gabe Freeman erupted for 34 points and 19 rebounds in his second game with Barako, leading the Energy to a 21-point rout of the Aces watched by a crowd of 12,000 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.