Alaska suffers 5th straight setback

ALASKA failed to plug its woeful fortunes after absorbing their fifth straight setback with a sorry, 75-81 loss to the Meralco Bolts last night in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Aces squandered a 10-point third quarter lead then succumbed to crucial errors and missed shots in the homestretch to remain winless in the tournament.

Alaska dropped to the last place of the standings along with the Shopinas.com Clickers with similar 0-5 (win-loss) records.

The Aces posted a, 52-42 lead in the four-minute mark of the third but allowed the Bolts to reduce the deficit to, 52-56, going into the fourth.

Chico Lanete sparked a fiery run for the Bolts, scoring seven straight points that gave Meralco a, 68-66 lead with 6:20 left.

The desperate Aces were still in the thick of things till the closing minutes moving within a point twice inside the final minute, the last at, 75-76 with 1:17 left in the clock.

Down by two, 75-77, the Aces had the chance to tie the game but Cyrus Baguio lost the ball while trying to drive to the basket.

Gabby Espinas gave the Bolts a four-point cushion by dropping two free throws in the final 11 seconds of the game and Meralco went on to post its fourth win in six games.

Lanete led the Bolts with 17 points while Mark Isisp and the come-backing Mark Cardona had 10 each.

Sonny Thoss paced Alaska with 19 markers while Baguio added 18.

ALASKA-PETRON AT HOOPS DOME

Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City councilor Harry Radaza revealed that the tickets for the Alaska-Petron game on Nov. 5 at the Hoops Dome are selling fast.

“We are urging basketball fans to buy their tickets early. Seventy-five percent of the tickets were sold already. Ring side tickets are already sold out,” said Radaza in a press conference yesterday at the Sports Exchange Bar.

BOX SCORES

MERALCO (81)- Lanete 17, Isip 10, Cardona 10, Mercado 8, Espinas 8, Omolon 8, Macapagal 7, Borboran 4, Taulava 4, Ballesteros 3, Yee 2, Faundo 0.

ALASKA (75)- Thoss 19, Baguio 18, Reyes 11, Dela Cruz 8, Tenorio 7, Baracael 4, Custodio 4, Mepana 2, Cablay 2, Eman 0.QUARTERSCORES: 20-19, 36-36, 52-56, 81-75.  EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA