The Meralco Bolts defeated the Alaska Aces on Monday at the Araneta Coliseum to force a deciding Game 5 by overpowering powerhouse team due to their 23-4 run in the third and fourth quarters. The game ended with the final score of 86-70 and the Bolts extends the series with both of team having two-game victories.
The Bolts was led by veteran slasher and former Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Jared Dillinger who scored with 17 points including a long three-pointer at the third quarter buzzer that puts his team up 62-52 heading into the fourth quarter.
Meralco reinforcement Arinze Onuaku added a double-double of 16 points and 16 boards, and Cliff Hodge had a double-double as well with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bolts wound up making 49% of its shots while claiming a 50-39 rebounding advantage. Alaska, which won Game 3, 92-72, shot 33% from the field, including 7-of-23 from beyond the arc.
The Game 4 victory of the Meralco Bolts extends the series while the 70 points production of the Alaska Aces is considered as their lowest output in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup 2016.
The Bolts thus forced a do-or-die game for the last Finals berth, set for Wednesday. Already waiting in the Finals are the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, who crushed San Miguel in their own Game 4 on Sunday.
Import Rob Dozier led Alaska with 18 points and 12 boards, making seven of his 12 attempts. But the other Aces struggled to convert from the field, with Calvin Abueva missing nine of his 11 attempts en route to a 10-point performance.
The scores:
MERALCO 86 – Dillinger 17, Onuaku 16,Hodge 14, Faundo 12, Caram 8, Newsome 7, Alapag 6, Hugnatan 6. Bono 0, Buenafe Ry 0, Amer 0.
ALASKA 70 – Dozier 18, Abueva 10, Jazul 10, Hontiveros 8, Baclao 6, Thoss 6, Banchero 5, Exciminiano 3, Baguio 2, Dela Rosa 2, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0.
Quarters: 19-16, 36-34, 62-52, 86-70