Games Today (Smart Araneta)
3 p.m. – Blackwater vs Barako Bull
5:15 p.m. – Barangay Ginebra vs Talk ‘N Text
The San Miguel Beermen’s woes continue to mount in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Led by Andre Emmet’s 31 points and Gary David coming off the bench for 23, the Meralco Bolts dealt the Beermen their second straight loss in the season-ending conference, 106-95, in overtime yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Cliff Hodge sent the game into the extra period, 91-all, with a jumper in the last 26 seconds of regulation and the rest of Bolts dominated the five-minute extension, 15-4.
Meralco improved to 1-1 while SMB fell to 0-2.
“It’s a good bounce back win for us.” Said Bolts coach Norman Black. “We just want to get back on track again. I thought our locals played much better with Emmett. Its a big win for us since you need to win every game in the eliminations. I thought our defensive game was sound. The least you want is to go down 0-2.”
Black could have just as well addressing SMB coach Leo Austria and his players, who have mysteriously slipped into a state of trance after ruling the Philippine Cup.
Meralco shot 54 percent from the floor (43 of 79), with Emmett going 11 of 27 with 11 rebounds and 5 assists in 43 minutes and David 10 of 13 with two 3-pointers in 38:00.
Weakened by dehydration after suffering from diarrhea a couple of days ago, SMB import Arizona Reid just had 13 points and 8 rebounds in 39 minutes. Junemar Fajardo led the Beermen with 22 and 16.
The NLEX-Purefoods Star game was ongoing at presstime.
Meanwhile, almost three months after eventual Commissioner’s Cup champion Talk ‘N Text edged Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 104-103, in the elimination round of that conference, the two teams clash in a marquee matchup today in what could be their last meeting this season.
Gametime is 5:15 p.m. at the Big Dome following the 3 p.m. curtainraiser between the Barako Bull Energy and the winless Blackwater Elite.
The Energy, behind 7-foot Canadian Liam McMorrow, are looking to tie early leaders Alaska and GlobalPort on 2-0 slates, while the Elite are in dire straits after suffering back-to-back blowout losses.
A victory by Blackwater will be a cause for wild celebration, especially for Gilas Pilipinas center Marcus Douthit, whose efforts to give the Elite their first win has been hampered by a lack of support from his homegrown teammates.
McMorrow versus Douthit should also provide an interesting sidelight as both 7-footers offer a study in contrast between the laidback former Los Angeles Laker (Douthit) and the late-starting Tennessee Tech star who was passed up by ballclubs during the 2012 NBA draft.
Focus, however, will be on the TNT-Ginebra clash, with the Tropang Texters making their debut after a tumultuous seven-game championship series with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Though unnecessary with its formidable lineup, TNT will be going to the game with a decided advantage as Ginebra will still be without Twin Towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar, with minor foot injuries, and explosive forward Chris Ellis, reportedly out for the rest of the season with a badly twisted ankle.
Slaughter and Aguilar sat behind the Ginebra bench Friday as Alaska, powered by Romeo Travis (34 points), spoiled the debut of Kings head coach Frankie Lim and the addition of Sol Mercado and Dave Marcelo, 108-99.
The Aces, who led by as many as 22 points and weathered a furious Kings comeback in the second half, also negated Ginebra import Orlando Johnson’s jaw-dropping 50-point performance in joining GlobalPort atop the leaderboard.
Scores:
MERALC0 106 – Emmett 31, David 23, Guevarra 11, Hodge 10, Hugnatan 10, Cortez 8, Atkins 5, Wilson 2, Anthony 2, Sena 2, Caram 2.
SAN MIGUEL 95 – Fajardo 22, Santos 14, Lassiter 13, Reid 13, Cabagnot 9, Tubid 8, Espinas 6, Lutz 5, Ross 5, Omolon 0.
Quarters: 22-26; 41-42; 68-72; 91-91; 106-95.