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| Dylan Ababou is off to the races as Jared Dillinger tries to catch up. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph) |
BARAKO BULL ENERGY over TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS, 100-86
Willie Miller’s heydays are far from over. The two-time MVP exploded for 27 points and also had 6 assists, leading an impressive show by Barako Bull’s veterans that lifted them past erstwhile unbeaten and defending champion Talk ‘N Text.
It was Miller’s highest output in the last five conferences and headlined a sterling show by the Energy on both ends of the court that stoked their drive to a second straight victory and a 2-1 win-loss slate that tied them with their victims.
Jayson Castro scored 23 points, the bulk coming at the height of TNT’s fightback from as much as two 22-point deficits, the last at 30-52, to within 67-73. “Miller Time” then took over as he strung up five straight points and Mick Pennisi also drained two triples in headlining some clutch baskets that quashed whatever hopes the Tropang Texters may have had.
Dylan Ababou turned in a second straight 20-point performance while Pennisi finished with 18 points, his best output since the 2008-09 Philippine Cup. Both grabbed 7 rebounds like.
Barako Bull 100 -Miller 27, Ababou 20, Pennisi 18, Allado 9, Maliksi 8, Najorda 6, Artadi 4, Arboleda 3, Pena 3, Salvacion 2, Salvador 0.
Talk N Text 86 - Castro 23, Reyes 16, Dillinger 10, Aban 10, Peek 8, Fonacier 6, Carey 6, Aguilar 4, Alapag 3, Raymundo 0, Alvarez 0, Lao 0.
QS: 25-11, 52-33, 71-62, 100-86
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| Paul Artadi tries to swipe the ball from the hands of TNT guard Jayson Castro. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph) |
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| Ryan Reyes hangs in the air as Willie Miller sails by. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph) |
RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS over MERALCO BOLTS, 89-84
Fired-up by a near fight at the end of the first half, Rain or Shine went on a searing third-quarter breakaway and held on for win over Meralco. The Elasto Painters went berserk in the third period and ripped the Bolts apart despite their prolific rookie Paul Lee being neutralized.
Stepping up after the first half marred by a commotion sparked by a collision between Asi Taulava and Jervy Cruz, the Painters seized control, building a huge lead enough to withstand the Bolts’ endgame chase.
Though falling behind by 25 at one point, the Bolts managed to crawl back into the fight only to come up short in their comeback bid, sliding to sixth place at 2-2. Coach Ryan Gregorio and his troops came charging back and made it close in the end with Guiao refusing to call a timeout and just letting his boys to ride out the game.
Averaging 19 points in their first three games, Lee was held to 12, but had crucial assists helping the Elasto Painters pull through. Lee set up Larry Rodriguez for back-to-back undergoal stabs moments after Meralco charged to within five at 79-84 on two triples by Mark Macapagal and a short stab by Gabby Espinas.
Gabe Norwood and Jeff Chan led Rain or Shine with 14 points apiece with Rodriguez also winding up with a double-digit output with 11.
Macapagal fired a personal season-high of 20 points for Meralco while Espinas and Taulava churned out double-double numbers combining for 35 points and 21 rebounds.
Rain or Shine 89 - Norwood 14, Chan 14, Lee 12, Rodriguez 11, Buenafe 9, Matias 8, Belga 6, Quinahan 6, Ibanes 5, Arana 4, Cruz 0.
Meralco 84 - Macapagal 20, Espinas 19, Taulava 16, Lanete 14, Isip 6, Borboran 5, Ballesteros 2, Omolon 2, Timberlake 0, Yee 0.
QS: 22-21, 41-40, 71-49, 89-84
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| Paul Lee gets a facial from Nelbert Omolon as the Elasto Painters defeat the Bolts. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph) |
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| Ronjay Buenafe had to work for his points against the tough Meralco defense. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph) |
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| Asi Taulava continued to be a reliable undergoal workhorse for the Bolts. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA.ph) |
Source: Game recaps were compressed and compiled from PBA.ph
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