Llamados brighten chances of bagging outright semis seat with victory over Alaska

Game today

Tubod, Lanao del Norte

6:45 p.m.- Meralco vs. Barako Bull

The B-Meg Llamados inched closer to earning an outright semifinal berth with an easy 90-75 win over the Alaska Aces last night in the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Llamados chalked up their fifth win in seven games to stay within striking distance with the league-leaders Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, who are 5-1 (win-loss).

Tournament format states that the top two teams after the nine-game elimination round will get an automatic passage to the semis, while the number three to six teams will qualify to the quarterfinal round.

Four teams will be eliminated.

The loss put the Aces in a must-win situation in their final elimination round assignment against the Powerade Tigers.

Alaska fell to 4-4.

B-Meg, now handled by former long-time Alaska coach Tim Cone, started slow and trailed by two points at the end of the first period, 25-27.

The moment they got their rhythm going, there was no stopping the Llamados as they charged back in the second period and broke the game wide open by posting a sizable 48-35 halftime lead.

B-Meg led by double-digits the rest of the way for the easy victory.

Denzel Bowles powered the Llamados with a game-high 35 points.

Adam Parada led the Aces with 24 markers.