Alaska Aces defeated the Meralco Bolts and inches closer to the hotly-contested Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Finals. The victory of the Aces against the Bolts solidify the team’s dream of making another trip to the finals of the PBA. The game between Alaska and Meralco ended with the final score of 92-72 as Meralco leads the series 2-1.
The best-of-five semi-finals series between Alaska and Meralco was held at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City. According to Coach Alex Compton, he felt his team defended the Bolts for 48 minutes during the game.
The Aces starved the Bolt’s gunners while their offensive games were so impressive in Game 3 of the semis as they got impressive performance from their import Rob Dozier and the leading Best Player of the Conference candidate Calvin “The Beast” Abueva, who provided with a combined 48 points.
Rob Dozier and Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Calvin Abueva scored all but six of the Aces’ 26 points in the third period where the Aces started peeling away, their combined output four points better than the entire Meralco total in that period.
Due to the victory of the Aces, coach Alex Compton can clinch a third successive shot at a championship with a victory in Game 4 set on Monday also at the Big Dome in Cubao.
For the Meralco Bolts, their import Arinze Onuaku led the team with 16 hard-earned points as the burly import was doubled every time he got a touch close to the basket.
The win was the most decisive by any team in the semifinals, which continue tomorrow with Rain or Shine trying to wrap up its series against San Miguel Beer at 5 p.m.
The scores:
ALASKA 92—Dozier 25, Abueva 23, Banchero 16, Menk 6, Baclao 4, Baguio 4, Exciminiano 4, Jazul 4, Hontiveros 2, Thoss 2, Dela Rosa 1, Racal 1, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0.
MERALCO 72—Onuaku 16, Alapag 12, Hodge 12, Hugnatan 12, Dillinger 9, Buenafe Ry 5, Caram 4, Faundo 2, Amer 0, Bono 0, Ferriols 0, Guevarra 0, Newsome 0.
Quarters: 15-20, 38-38, 66-54, 92-72
