PBA: Aces zap Bolts, tie series

by Jonas Terrado

Game Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum)
7 p.m. – Magnolia vs Ginebra

Game Tomorrow (Cuneta Astrodome)
7 p.m. – Alaska vs Meralco
(Series tied 1-1)

Alaska got its groove back while wearing new uniforms despite having to weather Meralco’s late rally for a 100-95 victory last night and tie their best-of-five PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Aces seemed to have found the spunk, co-incidentally while wearing black uniforms for the first time this conference, to take a 20-point lead before holding the Bolts in the end to bounce back from dropping the series opener last Sunday.

Calm and collected Jvee Casio hit four straight free throws before forcing Baser Amer to miss a game-tying three with the Aces up 98-95 under eight seconds left as Alaska halted Meralco’s impressive winning run at seven games.

“I’m just happy with the win. Now we got a best-of-three,” said Aces coach Alex Compton.

Both teams return to action tomorrow night when the series shifts a few kilometers at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Mike Harris once again flaunted the form that made him top the Best Import race after the elims and put up 37 points and 19 rebounds while Simon Enciso settled the final count with two charities to finish with 23 points.

Chris Banchero, appearing to be in better condition after twisting his ankle in the quarterfinals, had 13 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists in 38 minutes.

Reigning Best Import Allen Durham posted 24 points, nine rebounds and 12 assists but couldn’t complete the Bolts’ charge from being down 66-46 in the third.

Nico Salva tied his career-high with 20 points, his shots helping Meralco to slowly chip away at the deficit.

Durham’s basket pushed the Bolts within two, 92-90, with 50.9 seconds to go. But Harris answered with a midrange jumper to extend the lead to four.

Meralco scored courtesy of Durham and Casio drained two freebies for 96-92 Alaska. The Bolts cut it to one, 96-95, on Chris Newsome’s corner three before fouling Casio with 7.7 ticks left.

Casio sank two more charities to make it a three-point game as Amer failed to connect on his three-point attempt that cut short Meralco’s rally.

Amer scored 14 points but Newsome was held to just six points on 2-of-8 shooting.

Scores:
Alaska 100 – Harris 37, Enciso 23, Banchero 13, Manuel 7, Baclao 6, Racal 5, Casio 4, Exciminiano 3, Teng 2, Thoss 0.

Meralco 95 – Durham 24, Salva 20, Amer 14, Hugnatan 12, Tolomia 10, Newsome 6, Caram 4, Canaleta 3, Faundo 2, Dillinger 0, Ballesteros 0.

Quarters: 23-21, 47-40, 74-60, 100-95.