By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Meralco Bolts booked a spot in the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup after defeating, and eliminating, the Alaska Aces in their quarterfinals joust, 94-84, on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Held a twice-to-beat advantage in their quarterfinal pairing, the Bolts, the number two seed heading into the playoffs, saw no need to make use of it as they made a go at the semis spot-clinching win right at the onset.
Allen Durham led the Bolts to a strong start with the team going on a 13-0 blast in the first five minutes of the opening quarter.
It was a run that they would capitalize on for the rest of the frame, stretching their lead to 17 points, 29-12, after a canto down.
Meralco kept a safe distance from Alaska to begin the second quarter, holding a 38-25 advantage midway.
Alaska tried to get back some lost ground but with little success as the Bolts continued to hold sway, 49-33, at the half.
In the third quarter, the Aces came out with more fight as they started finding their mark in offense.
JVee Casio, Vic Manuel, Simon Enciso and import Franko House towed their team to within three points, 61-58, with 3:21 to go.
But Allein Maliksi would wax hot as the period wound up, giving back Meralco a double-digit lead, 73-63, entering the final quarter.
The teams continued to slug it out to begin the fourth quarter.
The count stood at 78-73 with Meralco still on top at the 7:39 mark.
Alaska kept pressuring the Bolts after but like what they had been doing for much of the contest Meralco found ways to kept its opponent at bay.
It was an 11-point advantage, 91-82, for the Bolts with 1:02 left to play and they were to hold on from there for the victory.
Mr. Durham led Meralco in the win with 28 points, 16 rebounds, eight assists and two blocks.
Mr. Maliksi backstopped him with 23 points with Chris Newsome adding 17.
For Alaska, it was Mr. Casio who showed the way with 20 points followed by Mr. Enciso with 16 points.
“Alaska really challenged us but we know it will only make us better heading into the semifinals,” said player of the game Maliksi after their victory.
PBA 12 FOR SEA GAMES
Meanwhile, members of the PBA-bannered Philippine men’s basketball team seeing action in the 30th Southeast Asian Games were made known at the weekend.
To be coached by Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings’ Tim Cone, the national are composed of five-time PBA most valuable player June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter of the San Miguel Beermen, Japeth Aguilar, LA Tenorio and Stanley Pringle of the Kings.
Also part of the squad are Alaska’s Manuel, Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy of the TNT KaTropa, Kiefer Ravena of the NLEX Road Warriors, Matthew Wright of the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters and Christian Standhardinger of the Northport Batang Pier.
The PBA 12 is out to extend the dominance of the Philippines in the event in the biennial regional meet.
The Philippines will first face Singapore in a Group A match on Dec. 4 at 8:15 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.
In Group A of the competition as well are Vietnam and Myanmar.
Playing in Group B are Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia.
