Meralco vaults to Govs’ Cup lead
SAN MIGUEL Beer import Arizona Reid eyes the basket off Phoenix counterpart Marcus Simmons. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
ALLEN Durham scored 36 points and was again a big factor on both ends in the stretch for Meralco, which pounded out a 100-96 victory over Alaska for the early solo lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup eliminations last night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Durham had a critical basket with under a minute left and then forced Alaska import LeDontay Henton to throw up a forced three-pointer that led to Chris Newsome icing the game from the free throw line for the Bolts.
“What were his thoroughbred numbers today?” Meralco coach Norman Black asked after Durham also collected 15 rebounds and had six assists in another dominant effort.
“I just hope he stays healthy,” added Black, whose Bolts rolled to a second straight win.
Henton led the Aces with 33 points.
Newsome finished with 19 points with Jared Dillinger and Reynel Hugnatan combining for another 24 for Black.
In the opener, Arizona Reid picked up the pace for San Miguel Beer late in the third quarter to key a 124-113 come-from-behind win over Phoenix Petroleum that got the Beermen’s title defense off to a rip-roaring start.
Reid scored nine in a 13-0 run the Beermen used to close out the third period as San Miguel zoomed back from 11 points down to take a 97-93 lead into the fourth.
It was a lead the Beermen never lost, even after Reid showed some tantrums after completing a three-point play to open the final frame and coach Leo Austria recalling him to the bench.
“AZ is just a fierce competitor,” Austria said in downplaying the incident. “He doesn’t want to lose.”
The scores:
First Game
SMB 124—Reid 41, Fajardo 21, Cabagnot 20, Lassiter 12, Heruela 8, David 7, Tubid 5, Reyes 4, Ross 4, Arana 2, Semerad 0.
PHOENIX 113—Simmons 28, Torres 19, Baguio 13, Cruz 13, Enciso 12, Lee 9, Caperal 7, J Wilson 7, Pennisi 3, Ron BUenafe 2, Sorongon 0, W Wilson 0.
Quarters: 33-29, 64-69, 97-93, 124-113
Second Game
MERALCO 100—Durham 36, Newsome 19, Dillinger 13, Hugnatan 11, Hodge 5, Caram 4, Nabong 4, Alapag 3, Buenafe 3, Uyloan 2, Jamshidi 0.
ALASKA 96—Henton 33, Jazul 13, Racal 11, Casio 8, Banchero 8, Manuel 6, Dela Rosa 4, Hontiveros 4, Thoss 3, Baclao 2, Exciminiano 2, Dela Cruz 2, Menk 0.
Quarters: 20-28, 48-46, 73-64, 100-96
