Meralco hands Alaska second straight setback
While Meralco recovered from a sorry loss the last time out, Alaska remained ice-cold as the Bolts torched the Aces, 93-86, last night in the 38th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Cliff Hodge had an electrifying game for the Bolts, tallying 20 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots to help his team barge into the win column after a painful 110-112 overtime loss to the defending champions Talk N Text Tropang Texters last Friday.
Hodge, the third overall pick in the rookie draft, also logged solid number in that defeat where piled up 19 points, eight boards, three assists and one steal.
Macmac Cardona redeemed himself from a dismal performance against Talk N Text and finished with 16 points. Ronjay Buenafe, Sol Mercado and Sunday Salvacion also finished in double figures in balanced offensive showing for Meralco.
It was another disappointing loss for the Aces, who lost badly against the San Mig Coffee, 83-103, also last Friday.
Alaska was tipped to dominate in the tournament following a remarkable pre-season where they won seven of eight tune-up games, including a title run in the Cebu City Mayor’s Cup.
Alaska, however, is off to a cold start and joined he Global Port Batang Pier at the bottom with 0-2 (win-loss) slates.
Cyrus Baguio led the Aces with 19 points, while Joachim Thoss, Gabby Espinas and JVee Casio added 17, 15 and 12 markers, respectively.
The Bolts broke free from a tight first half battle with a torrid run in the third period, transforming a slim 50-44 halftime lead to a fat 76-64 advantage going into the fourth.
Meralco increased the lead with a 6-2 run to start the fourth and the game was never close after that.
BOX SCORES
MERALCO (93)- Hodge 20, Cardona 16, Buenafe 13, Mercado 10, Salvacion 10, Hugnatan 8, Nabong 6, Reyes 4, Borboran 2, Sharma 2, Artadi 2, Belencion 0.
ALASKA (86) – Baguio 19, Thoss 17, Espinas 15, Casio 12, Hontiveros 9, Baracael 4, Bugia 4, Dela Cruz 4, Reyes 2, Jazul 0, Eman 0, Cablay 0, Belasco 0. QUARTERSCORES: 24-24, 50-44, 76-64, 93-86.
