MANILA – Meralco Bolts sent Alaska Aces crashing to its fourth consecutive defeat in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup with a 101-75 beating last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Baser Amer top-scored with 27 points, including six triples, while Allen Durham fell short of triple-double with 25 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists. Raymond Almazan had 15 markers.
With the win, the Bolts rose to 2-1.
Trailing 20-22 after the first 12 minutes, the Bolts started strong in the second period behind Negrense Reynel Hugnatan and Nico Salva to take a 27-24 edge. Durham and Amer then connived to extend the lead to 43-37 at the half.
The Bolts continued its run in the third period as inside shots from Durham and outside hits by Amer gave them a 67-51 lead but the Aces countered with a rally to come to within 61-72.
Meralco went for the kill in the fourth period. Baskets from Hugnatan and Ilonggo Anjo Caram increased the lead to 81-61 before it grew to its largest at 101-71 on a back-to-back baskets by Raymon Jamito.
Meanwhile, Chris Banchero and Simon Enciso top-scored with 12 points each, as new import Franko House struggled with just eight points and 11 rebounds as the Aces slumped to 0-4 card.
In the second game, Andy Mark Barroca drained a go-ahead free throw in the final minutes as the Magnolia Hotshots averted disaster by escaping with a 69-68 win over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
After seeing its 10-point edge turned to 68-all count behind the furious Painters’ run, Barroca split his free throws to surge the Hotshots ahead before tightening on defense to pull off the win.
Romeo Travis tallied double-double 26 points and 14 rebounds while Barroca and Ian Sangalang finished with eight each as the defending champions Hotshots rises to 2-1 win-loss slate.
The Painters dropped to 1-3./PN
