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| Zachary Graham and the Air21 Express are all but done with just one win to show after 6 games. |
MERALCO BOLTS over AIR21 EXPRESS, 106-77
Mario West pumped in 34 points, alongside seven rebounds and seven steals, in an all-around performance that sparked Meralco’s 106-77 beating of Air 21 in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
It was the third win in seven games for the Bolts, who needed to sweep their remaining games to avoid complications of making it to the semifinal round.
For Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, a sweep is the only way to get them to the next level.
“The goal is to have clear passage to the semis, so sweep is required,” said Gregorio. “It’s a daunting task, but workable. We’ve been in this situation before, now we have to give
ourselves a chance.”The match was all over right from the opening period.
A dizzying 21-0 run by the Bolts shoved Meralco’s lead to 19, 25-6, 2:52 left in the first period.
There was no looking back from the Bolts who remained in eight place but managed to close in on teams from fifth to seventh places.
MER 106 – West 34, Cardona 15, Taulava 11, Mercado 9, Macapagal 9, Bulawan 6, Reyes 6, Hugnatan 6, Ross 5, Yee 3, Aljamal 2, Ballesteros 0, Daa 0, Artadi 0.
A21 77 – Graham 36, Ritualo 12, Isip 10, Arboleda 6, Omolon 5, Sena 2, Espiritu 2, Menor 2, Faundo 2, Bagatsing 0, Salamat 0, Sison 0, Escobal 0, Hubalde 0.
QS: 34-12, 64-35, 82-62, 106-77
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| Old college buddies RenRen Ritualo and Mac Cardona share a fraternal moment in the midst of their elimination round match. |
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| Chris Ross and Asi Taulava helped the Bolts remain in the hunt for a playoff berth after winning their third game of the conference. |
TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS over BARAKO BULL ENERGY, 109-89
Slowly but surely, Talk ‘N Text is getting back to championship form.
The Tropang Texters blew past Barako Bull, 109-89, in the PBA Governors Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
Jayson Castro came off the bench and finished with 23 points, including three triples. Paul Harris contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds while Larry Fonacier played his most productive game of the conference as the Tropang Texters notched their first back-to-back wins in the tournament.
“I think we played much better today,” said Talk ‘N Text coach Chot Reyes. “We played 48 minutes of good basketball. Last game against Alaska, we played good for 40 minutes but we screwed up in the last eight minutes.”
“The long layoff also gave us a chance to practice more and develop team chemistry, but this will be a long climb for us. What we attained tonight is make it to the .500 mark,” he added.
Ranidel de Ocampo chipped in 11 points while Ali Peek had 10 points and eight boards.
Even Japeth Aguilar had a steady game on Wednesday, finishing with eight points and 11 rebounds in what was easily his most impressive game in a long while.
TNT 109 – Castro 23, Harris 21, Fonacier 20, De Ocampo 11, Peek 10, Aguilar 8, Aban 7, Alapag 5, Williams 4, Gamalinda 0.
BAR 89 – Miller 25, Hickerson 20, Seigle 18, Tubid 9, Allado 6, Kramer 5, Najorda 4, Cruz 2, Vergara 0, Sharma 0.
QS: 31-23, 59-45, 85-72, 109-89
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| Chot Reyes and the Texters seem to be getting into the groove of things, winning their third game in 6 tries. |
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| Ranidel De Ocampo hurls one over Don Allado as Willie Miller looks on. |
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| Willie Miller strikes a bowler's pose during their important game against Talk N Text. |
Source: Unless otherwise specified, game recaps were compressed and compiled from InterAKTV. (Writing credit to Rey Joble.)
Images: All images are from InterAKTV. (Photo credit to Paolo Papa)
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