It was a happy
Halloween in the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup for both Alaska and Purefoods as
they notched separate wins! Alaska embarrassed Meralco in the opener, while the
Hotshots pulled the rug from under the Batang Pier in the nightcap.
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| Top: Chris Banchero helped Alaska blow out Meralco. Bottom: Mark Barroca led Purefoods' fightback in the second half. |
Game
Capsules (adapted from InterAKTV):
ALASKA ACES over MERALCO BOLTS, 105-64
The
Alaska Aces, behind a stellar showing from their bench unit, dismantled Meralco
and remained unbeaten in three games. Alaska drew 78 big points from their
bench – 14 more than the entire Meralco team – as they cruised to the lopsided
victory against the Bolts, who picked up their first loss of the season. The
Aces were led by reserves Vic Manuel, Dondon Hontiveros, and rookie Chris
Banchero. Manuel scored 17 points and grabbed four rebounds, while Hontiveros
hit four three-pointers en route to 16 points. Banchero added 11 points and
eight assists off the bench. Calvin Abueva was the lone starter to finish in
double-figures with 10 points, which he accomplished in just 10 minutes of
play. Coach Norman Black had to endure terrible shooting from his club as
Meralco connected on just 32% of its field goals and 10% of its threes. Cliff
Hodge continued to impress, though, with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double
for the Bolts, while fellow forward Sean Anthony added 11 markers and 7 boards.
Line of the Game: Cliff
Hodge – 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal.
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| Happy Halloween, Ms. Apple David! |
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| Chris Banchero drives past the D of John Wilson. |
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| Immortal big man Danny Ildefonso shoots from the perimeter. |
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| Rome Dela Rosa goes up for the easy twinner against Meralco. |
PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS over GLOBALPORT
BATANG PIER, 81-75
The
Purefoods Star Hotshots shook off an early offensive slump and came back in the
second half to defeat GlobalPort to notch their first victory in the PBA
Philippine Cup. Mark Barroca scored 25 points and grabbed 6 rebounds, while
Allein Maliksi added 20 markers to lead Purefoods. The pair also played key
roles in rousing the Hotshots’ offense in the second half, where they had to
overcome a 16-point deficit. Peter June Simon added 12 points, while Marc
Pingris, who is coming off the injury reserve,
scored 9 markers and grabbed 17 big rebounds to help the cause. The
Hotshots struggled throughout the first half, but they started to find their
rhythm in the third, with Allein Maliksi and Mark Barroca combining for 17
points in the quarter. Barroca continued to score at will in the payoff period,
dropping 15 points to lead a Purefoods offense that scored 30. Coach Tim Cone’s
crew had to withstand torrid perimeter shooting from GlobalPort, which nailed
39% of its threes. The Hotshots’ aggressiveness, meanwhile, was rewarded with 24
free throw attempts, with coach Cone’s wards making good on 20. Stanley Pringle
and Mark Isip paced the Batang Pier with 20 and 17 points respectively.
Line of the Game: Mark
Barroca – 25 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 triples, 11/12 FTs.
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| Allein Maliksi stepped up in the third canto for the Hotshots. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| Marc Pingris returned to action as Purefoods beat GlobalPort. |
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| Mark Barroca caught fire in the second half to lead the Hotshots. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| Mark Isip tries a jumper in the first half for the Batang Pier. |
Unless otherwise specified, all images are by Paul Ryan Tan/Sports 5.
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