The Alaska Aces defeated the Meralco Bolts with the final score of 97-94 and grab a 1-0 lead in their best-of-5 semifinals series in the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup held on Monday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Alaska’s RJ Jazul stepped up for the Aces as he provided with an impressive 18 points offensive performance to lead his squad.
Aside from RJ Jazul veteran Alaska star player and Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Calvin Abueva also registered 15 markers, six rebounds, and three assists, while Cyrus Baguio added 13 points, and Chris Banchero chimed in with 10 points and survived the Bolts aggressive game.
During the last few seconds of the game, the Meralco Bolts got the chance to tie the game but Cliff Hodge missed the chance when he did’t see Jimmy Alapag’s pass coming, turning the ball over with 5.1 seconds remaining. But Rob Dozier kept the door open for Bolts as he muffed his freebies with 3.0 ticks remaining.
At the dying seconds of the game, the Bolts has the chance to even the game and extend Game 1 into overtime but unfortunately triggerman Ronjay Buenafe could not get the potential game-tying three in at the buzzer.
The Game 2 of the Meralco Bolts vs. Alaska Aces will be hedl this comingn Wednesday at the same venue, Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Meralco Bolts was lead by veteran forward Reynel Hugnatan who scored with 21 points and six rebounds, while Cliff Hodge added 14 markers.
The Scores:
ALASKA 97 – Jazul 18, Abueva 15, Baguio 13, Banchero 10, Exciminiano 9, Dozier 7, Menk 7, Baclao 6, Hontiveros 6, Thoss 4, Dela Cruz 2, Dela Rosa 0.
MERALCO 94 – Hugnatan 21, Hodge 14, Dillinger 12, Caram 11, Onuaku 11, Faundo 8, Newsome 7, Bono 6, Alapag 2, Amer 2, Ry. Buenafe 0, Ro. Buenafe 0.
Quarters: 26-23, 43-48, 71-79, 97-94.