The Powerade Tigers nailed their second straight victory with a 94-82 win over the Meralco Bolts last night in the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Tigers broke free from a tight contest in the first three quarters, outscoring the Bolts, 26-14, in the fourth period to seal its hold of the early lead in the team standings with a clean 2-0 (win-loss) slates.
The two teams were tied at 68-all heading to the fourth but Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and Sean Anthony sparked a key spurt for the Tigers’ endgame break-away.
David finished with a game-high 29 points, registering his 16th straight game with at least 24 points.
Lassiter added 19 points and seven rebounds, while import Dwayne Jones scored 15. Jvee Casio was the fourth Tigers to score in double figures with 14 points.
The loss spoiled Earl Barron’s first game as a returning import.
Barron scored a team-high 22 points but faded in the seconds half after a strong first half showing.
Barron scored 15 points in the first two quarters on a 7-for-21 shooting and grabbed 11 rebounds.
Barron failed to sustain his momentum, scoring just seven points in the final half where he just attempted eight shots and made three of them.
Gabby Espinas scored 19 points and Mark Cardona had 13 for the Bolts, who tasted their second straight defeat to drop to 1-3.