Meralco gains quarterfinals

Darnell Jackson of Meralco (light) vs James Mays and Ian Sangalang (behind) of San Mig (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco opened up the second half with all guns cocked and firing last night and brought down depleted San Mig Coffee, 88-78, to make the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in the middle of the pack at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts answered the third-quarter horn with an 18-2 run and took complete command as Meralco assured itself of seeing action in a best-of-three series against a still to be determined foe in the first round of the playoffs.

Darnell Jackson scored 31 points, hauled down 18 rebounds, had four assists and two blocks and Gary David scored the bulk of his 10 third quarter points in that torrid stretch that helped the Bolts close out their elimination round stint with a 5-4 slate.

The loss was the fourth against as many wins for the Mixers, who were without Marc Pingris and Justin Melton.

San Mig bowed out of the race for the No. 2 spot and left idle Alaska as the only side which can catch San Miguel Beer in that position. The Mixers would also need to win against the Beermen on Sunday to avoid the possibility of qualifying seventh or eighth.

“Our victory today gives us a great chance of nailing a semifinal seat,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said.

Rain or Shine, with import Wayne Chism again struggling in offense, turned to the second-best all-Filipino crew of the season to scuttle Air21, 87-82, in the opener.

The victory kept the Painters (4-4) out of the dreaded seventh and eighth positions in the quarterfinals.

THE SCORES:

First Game

RAIN OR SHINE 87—Cruz 13, Lee 12, Nuyles 8, Rodriguez 8, Arana 7, Almazan 7, Tiu 7, Norwood 7, Chism 6, Chan 6, Belga 4, Tang 2, Teng 0.

AIR21 82—Witherspoon 23, Taulava 15, Poligrates 13, Anthony 9, Villanueva 9, Yeo 8, Cardona 4, Borboran 1, Ramos 0, Burtscher 0.

Quarters: 18-13, 43-33, 62-55, 87-82

Second Game

MERALCO 88—Jackson 31, Dillinger 21, David 18, Hugnatan 6, Sena 4, Timberlake 2, Guevarra 2, Wilson 2, Hodge 2.

SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 78—Mays 33, Simon 13, Mallari 12, Yap 8, Devance 4, Barroca 4, Cawaling 2, Reavis 2, De Ocampo 0, Sangalang 0.

QUARTERS: 26-18, 39-41, 66-58, 88-78