Alaska and NLEX tripped up separate
foes even as expansion squads Blackwater and Kia continued to flounder in the
2014-2015 PBA Philippine Cup these past two days.
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| An OT game, a buzzer-beater, an upset, and a blowout. That's what happened these past two days in the PBA. |
Game Capsules (adapted from
InterAKTV):
MERALCO BOLTS over BLACKWATER ELITE, 83-75 (OT)
The Meralco Bolts needed an extra
period for a second straight game, but they came up on top yet again as they
escaped expansion team Blackwater. Meralco was forced into another overtime
after squandering a 19-point lead in the second half, but gunner John Wilson
came up big for them, scoring all nine of his points in the extra period to
help seal the win. Cliff Hodge registered a sublime 26-point, 18-rebound,
3-steal line for Meralco, which is now 2-0 to start the season. He was
backstopped by fellow forward Rey Guevarra, who tallied 10 points in 19
minutes, while Sean Anthony filled the stat-sheet with 9 markers, 10 boards,
and 7 assists. On the other end, Alex Nuyles and Ogie Menor each dropped 14
points to pace the Elite, who have dropped all their three assignments so far.
One performance worth noting, though, is back-up center Jason Ballesteros’s.
The former Gilas big man registered 13 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocked shots.
Line of the Game: Cliff Hodge – 26 points, 18 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assist, 11/21 FG
shooting.
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| Cliff Hodge soars high for the slam. (image by Paul Ryan Tan/Sports 5) |
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| Ogie Menor turns the corner for the Elite. (image by Paul Ryan Tan/Sports 5) |
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| Rey Guevarra stepped up for the Meralco Bolts. (image by Paul Ryan Tan/Sports 5) |
ALASKA ACES over TALK N TEXT TROPANG TEXTERS, 100-98
“The Beast” Calvin Abueva did
everything for his team, scoring 26 points, grabbing 22 rebounds and laying in
the game-winning shot at the, leading his Aces to a big win over Talk ‘N Text.
The Aces, now a perfect 2-0 to start the new season, trailed by as many as 18
points in the third period before mounting a huge comeback in the final frame.
The Tropang Texters looked like they were able to withstand the rally,
reclaiming the lead at 98-96 with just 36 seconds to go. Abueva, however,
knotted the game at 98-apiece with a pair of free throws and, after a late TNT
turnover, won the game by running the floor and nailing a transition lay-up as
the game clock expired. Dondon Hontiveros also did well for Alaska, hitting 3
triples on his way to 14 points, while backcourt partners Chris Banchero and JV
Casio each scored a dozen markers. Vic Manuel also impressed in anchoring the
interior for the Aces, dropping 10 points and grabbing 12 boards. Ryan Reyes
and Kevin Alas both caught fire from downtown for TNT, combining to hit 9
three-pointers. Reyes scored a total of 24 points, while rookie Alas dropped 15
in just 17 minutes.
Line of the Game: Calvin Abueva – 26 points, 22 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block.
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| Calvin Abueva celebrates after hitting the game-winner against TNT. (image by Paul Mata/Sports 5) |
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| Dondon Hontiveros pops the cap on a three-bomb for Alaska. (image by Paul Mata/Sports 5) |
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| Kevin Alas drives against RJ Jazul. (image by Paul Mata/Sports 5) |
RAIN OR SHINE ELASTO-PAINTERS over KIA SORENTO, 117-88
The Rain or Shine Elasto-Painters
welcomed the return of star Paul Lee from injury with a 29-point rout of
expansion team Kia. Lee scored 22 points and grabbed 4 rebounds while Beau
Belga added 16 markers as ROS picked up a second straight win. Seven Painters
finished in double-figures in the high-scoring game with TY Tang adding 15,
while three players – Jeric Teng, Jervy Cruz, and rookie Jericho Cruz – chipped
in with 12 apiece. Jonathan Uyloan also added 10 points. Kia, meanwhile,
dropped a second straight loss after winning its season opener against fellow
expansion team Blackwater. Reil Cervantes and Alvin Padilla led the way for the
Elite with 18 and 17 points respectively. ROS waxed hot from long range here,
draining 10 triples and shooting 60% overall from the field.
Line of the Game: Paul Lee – 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 triples, 8/11 FG
shooting.
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| Beau Belga drives past rookie Kyle Pascual. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| Reil Cervantes tries to get past JR Quiñahan. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| TY Tang splits the Sorento defense. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
NLEX ROAD WARRIORS over BGY. GINEBRA GIN KINGS, 97-81
The NLEX Road Warriors blew a tight
contest wide open in the fourth quarter with an unrelenting offensive attack as
they defeated erstwhile unbeaten Ginebra. After scoring just 34 points in the
first half, NLEX broke free with 35 big points in the final period. They also
held Ginebra down to just 15 in the same quarter as they handed the Kings their
first loss of the season. The Road Warriors, who were led by Mac Cardona’s 25
points, picked up its second win in three games. Cardona also tallied 5
rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block in a great all-around effort, while
Jonas Villanueva did a brilliant job as team quarterback with 14 markers, and 7
dimes. NLEX shot 53% from the field here and also forced Ginebra to commit 19
turnovers. The Warriors were able to withstand Chris Ellis’s scoring 19 points.
The Kings also enjoyed a combined 30 points, 22 rebounds, and 4 blocks from the
frontline duo of Japeth Aguilar and Greg Slaughter, but it was all in vain. The
starting backcourt of LA Tenorio and Joseph Yeo played in a dismal fashion
here, putting up just 7 points on a combined 2/10 FG shooting.
Line of the Game: Mac Cardona – 25 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block.
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| Chris Ellis rises for the put-back for Ginebra. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| Jonas Villanueva unleashes a floater against the Gin Kings. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| Mac Cardona caught fire as the Road Warriors upset Ginebra. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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