Meralco up 1-0 against Caguioa-less Ginebra in best-of-five semis series
Game today
Ynares Center, Antipolo City
6:45 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Talk ‘N Text
Missing perhaps its best offensive weapon, Barangay Ginebra simply didn’t have the firepower to keep up with a streaking B-Meg squad as the Kings lost badly to the Llamados, 67-82, last night at the start of their best-of-five semifinal series of the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Kings felt the heavy pinch of Mark Caguioa’s absence as they struggled badly in the offensive end to give the Llamados a 1-0 headstart in the race-to-three series.
Caguioa is sidelined by an eye injury he sustained in their, 93-84 win over the same B-Meg squad last March 30. That match served as a playoff for an outright semifinal ticket.
B-Meg coach Tim Cone had said that that loss served as a motivation for his team—that they needed to win their quarterfinal series against the Meralco Bolts so they could get back at the Kings.
With Caguioa sitting out, accomplishing that mission proved easier for the Llamados as the Kings scored just eight points in the first quarter while giving away 21 for the Llamados.
The Kings put up some resistance in the second period and narrowed the gap at 33-29 at the half.
The Llamados again revved it up in the third period, staging a 27-13 run for a big 60-42 lead, heading into the final period.
Import Denzel Bowles led the Llamados with 21 points, Peter June Simon added 13 points and four other Llamados had at least five points each.
Jackson Vroman and Roberts Labagala both had 10 points for the Kings.
Meanwhile, the Barako Bull Energy gun for a commanding 2-0 series lead when they play the defending champions Talk N Text Tropang Texters in Game 2 of their semifinal series at the same venue today.
The Energy took the series-opener with a convincing, 84-77, Game 1 victory last Tuesday.
BOX SCORES
B-MEG (82) – Bowles 21, Simon 13, Devance 9, Yap 9, De Ocampo 9, Urbiztondo 6, Reavis 5, Intal 4, Pingris 4, Villanueva 2, Barroca 0.
GINEBRA (67)- Vroman 10, Labagala 10, Villanueva 8, Hatfield 8, Cortez 7, Canaleta 6, Helterbrand 6, Ababou 5, W. Wilson 4, J. Wilson 2, Raymundo 1, Mamaril 0.QUARTERSCORES: 8-21, 33-29, 60-42, 82-67.
