PBA: Lights out for Alaska as Meralco books first semis berth

By Jonas Terrado

Meralco punched the first semifinal ticket in the PBA Governors’ Cup after ending Alaska’s campaign with a 94-84 victory as quarterfinal action began Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Best Import Allen Durham produced 28 points, 16 rebounds and eight assists while Allein Maliksi scored 23 points in a performance coach Norman Black described as his best game since being acquired in a trade with Blackwater.

The Bolts leaned on a 29-12 first quarter start behind a 50-percent shooting before preventing the Aces’ comeback bid in the third to arrange a spot in the best-of-five semis against TNT KaTropa or the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.

TNT and Magnolia face off Monday with the KaTropa holding a twice-to-beat advantage.

The semifinals will start after the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games, with Black hoping that Raymond Almazan will be fine after hurting his calf in the fourth.

Almazan had to leave the game with 4:47 remaining and Meralco ahead 84-77.

“It doesn’t look good, judging from the way he walked,” Black said.

Jvee Casio scored 20 points, Simon Enciso had 16 points and import Franko House posted 11 points and nine rebounds but the Aces saw their seesaw campaign in the season-ending conference come to an end.

Alaska lost its first five games under new coach Jeffrey Cariaso but was able to sneak out a quarters berth as the seventh seed after winning five of its final six.

The Aces threatened to make a run in the third quarter, pulling to within three at 61-58 on Enciso’s trey with 3:21 remaining.

But Durham scored four and Maliksi and Anjo Caram hit back-to-back triples to end the period giving the Bolts a 73-63 lead.

Scores:

MERALCO 94 — Durham 28, Maliksi 23, Newsome 17, Almazan 8, Amer 6, Faundo 4, Caram 4, Quinto 2, Hodge 2, Pinto 0.

ALASKA 84 — Casio 20, Enciso 16, House 11, Manuel 9, Tratter 7, Herndon 5, Ayaay 5, Thoss 4, Ahanmisi 4, Racal 3, Galliguez 0, Brondial 0.

Quarters: 29-12; 49-34; 73-63; 94-84.

Source: Manila Bulletin