Game recap (adapted from Interkasyon):
MERALCO BOLTS over BARAKO BULL ENERGY, 98-85
Box scores.
The Meralco Bolts got their PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign back on track after snapping a two-game losing skid with a decisive victory over Barako Bull, 98-85, on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco won its first five games of the conference, but they have lost back-to-back games since import Josh Davis hurt himself in a bad fall.
Davis looked a lot like his old self in this one, posting 32 points on 12-for-19 shooting, alongside 19 rebounds and 2 blocks in an impressive showing.
Reynel Hugnatan finished with 21 points, while Gary David added 14 points – 11 of those in the fourth quarter.
With the victory, Meralco (6-2) grabbed a share of the lead in the standings, drawing level with sister team Talk ‘N Text. Barako Bull fell to 4-5, tied for eighth place with Kia.
Davis outshone his Barako Bull counterpart Solomon Alabi, particularly in the first half, where he tallied 15 points and 9 rebounds, while the Energy reinforcement was held scoreless.
Alabi finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead Barako Bull, while four local players – JC Intal, Chico Lanete, Paolo Hubalde and Salva – reached double figures.
Line of the Game: Josh Davis (MER) - 32pts, 19rebs, 3asts, 2blks, 1stl, 12/19 FGs.
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| Cliff Hodge and Josh Davis typified the intensity of Meralco last night. |
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| All-Star Reynel Hugnatan dropped 21 points on the hapless Energy. |
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| Solomon Alabi struggled mightily in this one. |
SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN over RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS, 129-114
Box scores.
The San Miguel Beermen remained in contention for a playoff seed after hurdling Rain or Shine, 129-114, in what turned out to be a bitter reunion for Arizona Reid and his old team on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Reid scored 41 big points, but he saw plenty of color in his first game against Rain or Shine, the team that brought him to the PBA and released him earlier in the conference, allowing for his move to San Miguel.
Things got heated between him and his former coach, Yeng Guiao, after both were assessed technical fouls in the fourth quarter for using profane language while jawing along the sideline.
On the next possession, the San Miguel import inbounded the ball in front of the Rain or Shine bench and Guiao brushed against him as he went by, resulting in a second technical and an ejection for the fiery coach with just over two minutes remaining in the game.
Reigning PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo also had a big game with 30 points, 18 rebounds, and 3 blocks for the Beermen.
With the win, San Miguel improved to 3-6, only slightly behind Kia and Barako Bull (both at 4-5) for the eighth and last spot in the quarterfinals.
Import Wayne Chism had a career night, dropping 50 points on 18/35 FG shooting, but it was all for naught as Rain or Shine dropped down into a tie with Purefoods for third place at 5-3.
Line of the Game: Wayne Chism (ROS) - 50pts, 16rebs, 2asts, 2stls, 18/35 FGs.
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| June Mar Fajardo and the Beermen look to be getting into a groove after beating ROS. |
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| AZ Reid battled his former team for the first time and, well, there were some testy moments. |
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| Raymond Almazan goes up for the reverse lay-up! |
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