NEW San Miguel recruit Sol Mercado drives off Meralco’s former Petron mainstay Danny Ildefonso (right) and import Brian Butch. EDWIN BELLOSILLO
MANILA, Philippines — On the way out even before his first PBA game, Josh Boone showed a tremendous amount of professionalism Friday night and still played his heart out in leading San Miguel Beer to a memorable league comeback at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Even with his job on the line, Boone scored 16 points and had 16 rebounds in a 94-76 ripping of Meralco as the Beermen—after three years playing as the Boosters of Petron Blaze— debuted in the Commissioner’s Cup in style.
“We applaud the level of professionalism of our import,” Todd Purves, San Miguel’s high-profile consultant, told reporters. “I am happy to get a win. We tried to create some chemistry out there and the guys really played hard.
“I thought Josh was more than professional tonight,” Purves added. “He gave a hard effort.”
Kevin Jones, an NBA D-League and China pro league veteran, will take the place of Boone on the team. Purves, though, did not exactly say when Jones will play.
Barangay Ginebra came back from five points down with under two minutes left to score a 108-104 overtime victory over Barako Bull in the nightcap.
Chris Ellis tied the game up at 93 with a triple with seven seconds left in regulation before import Leon Rodgers hit some crucial buckets the rest of the way.
Arwind Santos also had 16 points as San Miguel won without June Mar Fajardo, who is out with a swollen ankle.
Meanwhile, Talk ‘N Text and Air21 clash Saturday to stay unbeaten even as Alaska and Globalport try to bounce back from opening-day setbacks in a Petron Saturday Special playdate at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.
The Tropang Texters, who tore the Aces apart on Wednesday, and the Express take the floor at 5:45 p.m. after Alaska and the Batang Pier lock horns in the 3:30 p.m. game.
The scores:
First Game
SAN MIGUEL BEER 94—Boone 16, Santos 16, Kramer 14, Lassiter 12, Mercado 8, Tubid 7, Duncil 6, Lutz 6, Hubalde 4, Ross 4, Maierhofer 1, Taha 0.
MERALCO 76—Butch 29, David 20, Hugnatan 8, Hodge 7, Wilson 5, Al-Hussaini 4, Caram 2, Artadi 1, Ildefonso 0, Salvacion 0, Guevarra 0, Dillinger 0.
Quarterscores: 20-20, 40-29, 69-52, 94-76
Second Game
BRGY. GINEBRA 108—Rodgers 31, Ellis 17, Aguilar 14, Slaughter 12, Caguioa 12, Tenorio 9, Reyes 8, Mamaril 3, Urbiztondo 2, Baracael 0, Monfort 0.
BARAKO 104—Dollard 45, Pennisi 12, Lastimosa 10, Intal 7, Miranda 7, Wilson 6, Buenafe 6, Jensen 5, Fortuna 5, Pena 1, Deutchman 0, Isip 0, Miller 0, Marcelo 0.
Quarters: 22-23, 51-52, 73-70, 93-93, 108-104
RELATED STORIES
PBA Commssioner’s Cup: Kings outlast Energy in OT
PBA Commissioner’s Cup: Beermen rout Bolts
Possible import replacement for Boone on his way to Manila