Alaska, Meralco shoot for a share of the lead in 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup

Games today:

Araneta Coliseum

5:15 p.m.- Meralco vs. Alaska

7:30 p.m.- Petron vs. San Mig Coffee

Starting the conference with separate wins over last conference’s finalists, the Alaska Aces and the Meralco Bolts eye a piece of the leadership when they square off today in the 38th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts started the campaign with a resounding 99-92 win over the mighty Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, who are fresh from winning the Philipping Cup title via a 4-0 sweep of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

Dawson piled up 37 points, 14 rebounds, four blocked shots, two assists and two steals in the Bolts’ triumphant first game since trading away top point guard Solomon Mercado.

Ronjay Buenafe and Mark Cardona gave Meralco the needed local production by combining 35 points, while Chris Ross, who filled the spot vacated by Mercado, registered nine rebounds and eight assists.

Alaska leaned on the heroics of Calvin Abueva and Cyrus Baguio in posting a scrambling 83-81 win over the Painters.

Abueva drilled in a three-pointer that tied the score at 81-all in the final 10.1 seconds then swatted the attempt of Rain or Shine seven-foot-three import Bruno Sundov, leading to an Alaska fastbreak, where Baguio converted the marginal buzzer-beating layup.

Alaska import Robert Dozier had a decent outing for the Aces, scoring 21 points, hauling down 16 rebounds and blocking three shots.

The winner in the Alaska-Meralco game will join the Barako Bull Energy Colas at the top of the standings with a 2-0 (win-loss) card.

Meanwhile, sister-teams Petron Blaze Boosters and San Mig Coffee Mixers collide in the main with both squads looking to barge into the win column.

The highly touted Boosters stumbled against Globalport Batang Pier, 92-94, while the Mixers, who played without their ailing import Matt Rogers, likewise dropped their first assignment against the Energy Colas, 75-79.