Jared Dillinger scored 25 points, had 10 rebounds and Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio was able to squeeze the best out of Rabeh Al-Hussaini so far in a 100-87 upset of Barangay Ginebra in the PLDT MyDSL PBA Philippine Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.
Dillinger also chipped in terrific defense down low, putting the clamps on the 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar, while Al-Hussaini, an underachiever thus far in his young pro career, scored 14 points that went with 16 boards and two blocks as the Bolts snapped Ginebra’s winning run at three games.
The win, which put the Bolts at a level 2-2, was quite unexpected to say the least. Not only was Meralco playing the hottest team in the league but the Bolts—who own the shortest frontline in the field—also played the PBA’s tallest frontline.
“We’re fortunate that we caught them on an off-night,” Gregorio said later. “For as long as the game is played 5-on-5, I told my players that no one has the edge. We want to win against a taller and longer team. We have to use whatever it takes to be quicker.”
Mike Cortez scattered 21 points and had 11 assists for Meralco.
Larry Fonacier fired 18 points as Talk ‘N Text outplayed Globalport, 106-93, in the first game.
The Texters, seeking to win this conference for an unprecedented fourth straight season, started out hot behind the versatile Fonacier and led by as many as 23 points in improving to 3-1 while dealing the Batang Pier a second straight defeat in a 1-3 card.
Danny Seigle played his first game in a Talk ‘N Text uniform and delivered 13 points and seven rebounds in 18 minutes.
The scores:
First Game
TALK ‘N TEXT 106—Fonacier 18, Alapag 17, Seigle 13, Castro 12, Carey 11, Baclao 10, Williams 8, Poligrates 7, Anthony 5, De Ocampo 3, Celiz 2, Ferriols 0, Reyes 0.
GLOBALPORT 93—Washington 21, Romeo 16, Mercado 14, Chua 11, Garcia 7, Nabong 6, Salva 6, Belencion 4, Hayes 4, Lingganay 2, Menk 2, Ponferrada 0, Salvador 0.
Quarters: 34-20, 64-51, 91-68, 106-93
Second Game
MERALCO 100—Dillinger 25, Cortez 21, David 14, Al-Hussaini 14, Wilson 14, Sena 7, Guevarra 3, Salvacion 2, Caram 0, Hugnatan 0.
GINEBRA 87—Aguilar 23, Tenorio 14, Caguioa 14, Reyes 8, Slaughter 7, Baracael 5, Ellis 5, Ababou 3, Urbiztondo 3, Forrester 3, Monfort 2, Helterbrand 0, Mamaril 0.
Quarters: 27-25, 46-35, 78-58, 100-87