PETRON Blaze remained unscathed in the PLDT MyDSL Philippine Cup eliminations last night after staving off several Meralco rallies in the stretch for a 77-73 win in a Petron Saturday Special game held at the Dipolog City Sports Center in Dipolog.
Alex Cabagnot, the hero in the Boosters’ narrow escape past Air21 several nights ago, turned in 17 points that went with eight rebounds and six assists to lead Petron to its seventh straight win.
The loss was the third in as many wins for the Bolts, who dropped out of the top half of the 10-team standings.
Petron scored 30 points in the third period with sensational sophomore June Mar Fajardo riding the bench as the Boosters turned a 34-37 deficit at halftime into a 64-53 lead entering the payoff frame.
Cabagnot is seeing action in just his second game this season. He missed the first five Petron victories because of a right foot injury sustained in the Governors’ Cup title series with San Mig Coffee two months ago.
Marcio Lassiter tossed in 16 points and Arwind Santos, the reigning Most Valuable Player, had 14.
Fajardo, who has turned into the barometer into which all big men are measured, had 12 points and 19 rebounds. Despite Fajardo’s rebounding, the Bolts still managed to rule the battle off the boards, 57-52.
Meralco did not just fold up and die after losing first half control, rallying behind the efforts of John Wilson and Gary David and almost turning the tables on the most consistent team in the tournament.
David, the two-time scoring champion with two different squads, and Wilson each tossed in 16 points for the Bolts, the teams considered to be the smallest in the tournament.
The league returns to Manila Tuesday with San Mig Coffee battling Barako Bull at 5:45 p.m. and at 8 p.m., Talk ‘N Text goes up against Rain or Shine.
Both games will be played at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
PETRON BLAZE 77—Cabagnot 17, Lassiter 16, Santos 14, Fajardo 12, Kramer 7, Ross 6, Lanete 3, Lutz 2.
MERALCO 73—Wilson 16, David 16, Hugnatan 13, Al-Hussaini 13, Dillinger 8 , Cortez 3, Caram 2, Sena 2, Allado 0, Timberlake 0, Guevarra 0, Salvacion 0.
Quarters: 17-18, 34-37, 64-53, 77-73