The Petron Blaze Boosters registered their fifth straight win in the PBA Governors Cup when they burned the Barako Bull Energy Colas, 112-87, in the first game held at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
It was Chris Lutz who made the difference in the second quarter, spearheading an offensive onslaught that allowed Petron to take a wide 20-point lead by halftime, (58-38).
The Boosters never looked back then, struggling offensively with only Mike Singletary trying to hold up the fort for the Energy Colas. Petron led by as much as 29 points in the third quarter which practically frustrated Barako even more.
With Petron comfortably ahead, the Boosters found no reason to field in Millsap and the rest of the team’s top stars in the final period.
Millsap finished with a game-high 31 points in three quarters of action while Arwind Santos and Lutz finished with 20 and 19 points respectively.
In the main offering, the Meralco Bolts drew a sterling performance from Mario West in the third quarter to down the Alaska Aces, 84-74.
Cliff Hodge, John Wilson, Reynel Hugnatan and Mac Cardona played key roles in the win as well to hand the Bolts a share of second place at 3-2 together with Barako and the idle Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Alaska fell to an even 2-2 card and are tied with Talk ‘n Text and Globalport.
The scores:
First game:
Petron 112 – Millsap 31, Santos 20, Lutz 19, Kramer 9, Fajardo 6, Lassiter 6, Cabagnot 5, Lanete 4, Miranda 4, Deutchman 3, Yeo 3, Hubalde 2, Sison 0, Tubid 0, Ildefonso 0.
Barako 87 – Singletary 26, Seigle 18, Buenafe 16, Monfort 12, Pennisi 8, Marcelo 4, Macapagal 3, Jensen 0, Bulawan 0, Weinstein 0, Intal 0, Cruz 0, Pena 0.
Quarters: 24-15, 58-38, 93-69, 112-87
Second game:
Meralco 84 – West 32, Wilson 15, Hugnatan 12, Cardona 9, Guevarra 7, Hodge 6, Reyes 2, Ross 1, Timberlake 0, Artadi 0, Salvacion 0.
Alaska 74 – McKines 13, Casio 12, Thoss 10, Baguio 10, Abueva 9, Hontiveros 9, Espinas 4, Dela Cruz 4, Jazul 3, Ramos 0, Eman 0, Belasco 0.
Quarters: 14-19, 32-30, 62-49, 84-74