Two nights after upsetting
Ginebra, Meralco was sunk by the Hotshots, while both the Aces and the Tropang
Texters got wins of their own this past weekend in the 2014-2015 PBA Philippine
Cup.
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| Top: Jayson Castro tore the Barako Bull Energy defense to shreds in a big TNT win. Bottom: Yousef Taha unloaded a career-best game to lead Purefoods past Meralco. |
Game Capsules (adapted
from InterAKTV):
ALASKA ACES over GLOBAPORT BATANG PIER, 87-84
The Alaska Aces avoided
suffering another upset loss in a tough, out-of-town victory over GlobalPort,
87-84, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at the Xavier University Gym in
Cagayan De Oro. Calvin Abueva scored 17 of his team-high 19 points in the second
half as he helped lead Alaska to a double-digit lead before they held off a
late GlobalPort charge to notch their seventh win in eight games. JV Casio
added 14 points, while Sonny Thoss and Cyrus Baguio each added 10. With the
win, they moved back into the solo lead, slightly ahead of San Miguel (6-1).
GlobalPort, meanwhile, dropped down to an even 4-4. The Aces went on a big 19-4
run bridging the third and fourth quarters that gave them a lead of as high as
14 points in the final period. They needed to stave off a big rally from the
Batang Pier late, though. The Batang Pier stars came out with big performances
but could not get much from their supporting cast in this one. Terrence Romeo
scored 26 points on 12-for-19 shooting to lead the way while Alex Cabagnot
added 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Pringle finished with 15 points,
seven rebounds and eight assists.
Line of the Game: Alex Cabagnot - 15 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 4 triples.
TALK N TEXT TROPANG
TEXTERS over BARAKO BULL ENERGY, 122-106
The Talk ‘N Text Tropang
Texters used a blistering first quarter to pummel the Barako Bull Energy,
122-106, at Alonte Sports Arena in Laguna. The Tropang Texters scored 40 points
to open up a 20-point lead in the opening period, which was enough for Talk ‘N
Text to grab its fifth win of the season. Jayson Castro led the furious opening
attack, scoring 14 of his 26 points in the first quarter. Talk ‘N Text waxed
hot from downtown, burying 18 of 38 triples compared to Barako Bull’s five out
of 20. Jimmy Alapag also scored 14 points, while Ranidel De Ocampo and Larry
Fonacier contributed 13 points apiece for Talk ‘N Text (5-3), which recovered
from an upset loss to GlobalPort in its last outing. Paolo Hubalde led the way
with 19 points for Barako Bull (2-5), which saw the end of its two-game winning
streak. Hubalde was backstopped by JC Intal and Chico Laneter, who tallied 16
markers apiece.
Line of the Game: Jayson Castro - 26 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 triples,
9/14 FGs
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| Jayson Castro dropped a helluva game as TNT marched on to its fifth win of the season. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| JC Intal tries to challenge Matt Rosser in this drive to the basket. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| Larry Fonacier goes up against Mick Pennisi. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS over
MERALCO BOLTS, 77-74
The Purefoods Star Hotshots
got a big lift from backup center Yousef Taha, who made big plays in the fourth
quarter, as they escaped with a tight 77-74 win over Meralco at the Alonte
Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna. Taha made several big plays in the last four
minutes, scoring on three consecutive baskets and playing a key role
defensively as he sparked an 11-2 run that turned a one-point deficit into an
eight-point lead, 77-69, inside the final minute. The third-year center
finished with 14 points on 6-for-7 shooting, alongside 9 rebounds, 3 assists
and 2 blocks for the Hotshots, who improved to 4-3 and leapfrogged the Bolts
(4-4) in the standings. Peter June Simon led the team with 18 points, while
Mark Barroca added 16. Purefoods superstar James Yap contributed 11 markers in
the win. The Bolts, meanwhile, got a game-high 20 points from Gary David, who
also hit 4 treys. Fellow Gilas player Jared Dillinger dropped a dozen markers
in support, while Cliff Hodge grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds. Meralco had a
couple of chances to tie the game in the final seconds, but Dillinger missed a
three, and Mark Macapagal couldn’t launch his own three before the buzzer
sounded.
Line of the Game: Yousef Taha - 14 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 6/7 FGs.
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| Yousef Taha was the man of the hour for the Hotshots as they survived a scare from Meralco. (screengrab from Chot Reyes's twitter account) |
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| Gary David sizes up Justin Melton. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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| Joe Devance shoots over Jared Dillinger. (image by Nuki Sabio/PBA) |
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