Alaska snapped a three-game losing streak with a 100-90 win over Red Bull Friday night in the 2008-09 Motolite-PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Two-time MVP Willie Miller and Jeffrey Cariaso joined hands in the closing minutes that thwarted the late run by the Energy Boosters to move out of the cellar with a 3-6 win-loss mark.

Miller finished with a game-high 28 points on an efficient 12-of-18 shooting to lead the Aces to the much-needed victory and avenge their 90-92 loss to Barako Bull in their first meeting.

“We’ve been practicing well in the last few weeks but we’re not translating them in the actual game,” said Alaska head coach Tim Cone. who also drew 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists from Rosell Ellis.

“Obviously, we want to get the monkeys out of our back, and right now, we are focusing to get ready into the playoffs. We want to avoid the ninth and tenth spots,” Cone added.

Cariaso added 16 markers in his best game yet in the tournament while LA Tenorio contributed 11.

John Arigo fired a personal conference-high 25 points to lead the Energy Boosters, who paraded a new import in Jeff Varem who replaced the high-scoring Scooter McFadgon.  

Varem, whose last stint in the PBA was in 2007 with Coca-Cola, posted a rare triple-double with 13 points, 23 rebounds and 10 assists, but those figures failed to stop Barako Bull from absorbing its second straight loss to go down in the team standings with a 2-6 mark.

Arigo, a former Alaska draft pick, waxed hot in the fourth period and led the Energy Boosters’ rally and his three-pointer shoved the team within one, 80-81 with 6:56 left in the game.

Miller hit back-to-back jumpers and Cariaso joined the scoring fray for a decisive 18-6 exchange for a commanding 99-86 advantage, under two minutes remaining.

Gabby Espinas and Reed Juntilla added 13 and 12 points respectively for coach Leo Isaac.

In the second game, Barangay Ginebra pulled a 94-89 upset over Rain or Shine for its first back-to-back wins in the tournament.

Eric Menk exploded at the right time for the Kings, who played without an import as their choice, Ryan Humphrey, exceeded the height limit, as the one-time MVP netted a conference-best 24 points to go along with his nine rebounds to lead the team to its third win in eight games.

Solomon Mercado led the Elasto Painters with 24 markers but it was not enough to carry the team, which abosrbed its third straight defeat to go down in the standings with 5-4 slate.

Rain or Shine was still holding an 82-78 lead with under five minutes remaining before Ginebra tightened its defense and finished the stage with a 16-7 run to steal the win againts the heavily-favored Elasto Painters.

Meanwhile, a pair of trades were consumated last night that involved Burger King, Ginebra and Purefoods Tender Juicy.

The Kings, who are sorely missing the services of Mark Caguioa this season, acquired the acrobatic Cyrus Baguio and banger Homer Se from the Whoppers in exchange for future draft picks.

Burger King also sent Celino Cruz to the Giants in exchange for seldom-used off guard Aaron Aban.