Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 78
Alapag rescues Meralco from Alaska; Bolts clinch top two
Warning: Undefined variable $column_strips in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 153
Warning: Undefined variable $nocontent in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 236
Warning: Undefined variable $FEAT_STORIES in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 685
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, bool given in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 688
Warning: Undefined array key 0 in /var/www/pba/single2017/addfunction-ondemand-gitlab-taboola.php on line 730
Jimmy Alapag took charge late and Meralco clinched a spot in the top two after beating Alaska, 107-101, in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The former national team captain canned four freebies in the final two minutes and capped his throwback performance with a lefty layup for a 104-98 cushion with 33.6 seconds remaining.
Calvin Abueva tried to bring the Aces back to life, but to no avail as Meralco went on to gain a twice-to-beat edge in the quarterfinals.
Arinze Onuaku also came up huge for the Bolts. He was unstoppable in the paint, finishing the game with 28 points and 19 rebounds.
Alapag added 16 markers, seven of which during a crucial stretch while Jared Dillinger also chipped in 16.
At 8-2, Meralco head coach Norman Black said the Bolts are still going the top seed.
“Definitely, we want to win our last game to get some momentum going to the playoffs. So when we take the court against Ginebra on Wednesday, we’re going for the win,” he said. “Whoever we play (in the quarterfinals), bahala na.”
Black also relished winning over Alaska for the first time in two years.
“It’s nice to beat the Aces for the first time since I handled the Meralco team.”
Still, his focus remains on his team’s progress going into the playoffs.
“Our offense is already picking up, but it’s our defense which is saving us the day. For us to win this conference, we have to play defense and we did it tonight, stopping a very good offensive team from scoring a lot of points,” said Black.
It was a sorry loss for Alaska, especially for Abueva, who had a superb showing with 27 points and nine rebounds. He orchestrated that third quarter charge which allowed Alaska to momentarily take the lead, as well as the late uprising, capped off by Cyrus Baguio’s trey with 3:16 still left to play to knot the score at 98.
The defeat cost Alaska its bid to gain top two as it dropped to 6-4. The Aces battle the NLEX Road Warriors exactly a week from now in their final game in the elimination round.
The scores:
MERALCO 107 – Onuaku 28, Alapag 16, Dillinger 16, Newsome 11, Ry. Buenafe 7, Hodge 7, Faundo 6, Amer 5, Hugnatan 4, Ro. Buenafe 3, Bono 2, Caram 2, Ferriols 0.
ALASKA 101 – Abueva 27, Manuel 13, Baguio 12, Banchero 12, Edwards 12, Jazul 12, Baclao 3, Excimiiano 3, Dela Rosa 2, Hontiveros 2, Thoss 2, Menk 1, Dela Cruz 0.
Quarters: 38-28, 65-54, 86-83, 107-101.
Warning: Undefined array key "TESTPAGE" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 254
Warning: Undefined array key "fb" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 280
Warning: Undefined variable $thinq in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 318
Warning: Undefined variable $var_sports_vlurb in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 328
Warning: Undefined variable $isghub in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 429
Warning: Undefined variable $mindanaoQuake2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 442
Warning: Undefined variable $showSolicit_batanes in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 459
Warning: Undefined variable $seagames in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 475
Warning: Undefined variable $tokyoOlympics2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 481
Warning: Undefined variable $help_ompong in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 525
Warning: Undefined variable $elections_2019 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 538
Warning: Undefined variable $typhoon_2018_redirect in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 543
Warning: Undefined variable $ncov2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 555
Warning: Undefined variable $tyhoon2020_marthon in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 578
Warning: Undefined variable $dotnet23 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 585
Warning: Undefined variable $suicide in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 595
Warning: Undefined variable $yearend2020 in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 600
Warning: Undefined array key "inqplus_test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 609
Warning: Undefined array key "newreadnext" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 664
Warning: Undefined array key "test" in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 802
EDITORS' PICK
Warning: Undefined variable $data_for_HompageFG_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 816
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 819
Warning: Undefined variable $MR_data_for_obj in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Warning: foreach() argument must be of type array|object, null given in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 850
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
Warning: Undefined variable $bc_tag in /var/www/pba/single2017/body-gitlab.php on line 1239