Hontiveros has 24 points as Alaska beats Meralco to end skid

Jared Dillinger of Meralco (light) vs Cyrus Baguio and Dondon Hontiveros of Alaska (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines — Alaska had three players with at least 20 points as it leaned on a balanced attack to beat Meralco, 91-82, in the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Dondon Hontiveros led the way with 24 points while Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss scored 23 and 20 points, respectively for the Aces, who ended a two-game losing slide.

Gabby Espinas also had quite a performance with a career-high 23 rebounds to go along with seven points.

“Just really proud of the whole team. But Gabby Espinas had a career game haven’t seen him so motivated. Dondon (Hontiveros) has been struggling for quite some time now and he comes out like that. Just proud of how these guys played,” said Alaska head coach Luigi Trillo.

“It was a collective team effort through and through.”

Hontiveros and Baguio provided Alaska with steady outside shooting while Thoss established himself in the shaded area.

Baguio, in a key stretch, accounted for 10 of the Aces’ last 12 points in the final 3:54to pull away from a 79-deadlock.

The former University of Santo Tomas star had two triples, an assist to Espinas and a pair of free throws that made it, 91-81, with 1:34 remaining.

Hontiveros had 13 points in the second half — hitting timely baskets — that kept the Bolts at bay.

“We did a good job taking care of the basketball, we only had eight turnovers. The past two games we turned the ball over seven times each in the first half,” Trillo pointed out.

Mike Cortez had 22 points for Meralco, which suffered its second straight setback and is now tied with Alaska 3-5.

Gary David and Reynel Hugnatan had 15 apiece for the Bolts, who tied the count at 79 on a basket by Jared Dillinger with 4:26 left.