Meralco Bolts, Alaska Aces triumph, inch closer to semis

RAYMOND Almazan of Rain or Shine puts up a shot off Danny Ildefonso of Meralco in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

MANILA, Philippines — Darnell Jackson hit two jumpers inside the final 68 seconds Monday night and gave Meralco a chance at pulling off what the Bolts have so far failed to do in their PBA existence—close out a playoff foe.

Jackson’s last four points keyed a 94-91 Meralco victory over Rain or Shine for a 1-0 lead in their Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal series and rewarded the Bolts two chances to advance to the Final Four and bury the ghosts of failures past at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Defending champion Alaska also took a 1-0 lead in its best-of-three clash with San Mig Coffee, using a huge fourth quarter to pound out an 86-77 win in the nightcap.

The potential series-clinching games for both the Bolts and the Aces are scheduled Wednesday also at the Big Dome in Cubao.

“Yes, we have been here before and we were not able to close it out,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said.

“But experience is always the best teacher. With a little more intelligence and experience, we can get that second win.”

For the past two seasons, the Bolts have taken 1-0 leads against B-Meg and San Mig Coffee only to be denied of that second win both times.

Meralco has made the semifinals twice, the first when it qualified outright, and the second when it had a twice-to-beat advantage over Barako Bull.

Gary David actually kept the Bolts in the game when Jackson started huffing and puffing up and down the court in the fourth period.

David shot 11 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter with his last basket putting the Bolts within 90-91 with 2:46 left.

Rain or Shine also aided the big Meralco finish by going scoreless in the final 3:07 after Wayne Chism gave the Elasto Painters a 91-88 edge with a layup off a pass from Beau Belga.

David also had 11 third-quarter points that helped erase a 44-40 halftime deficit and usher the Bolts to leads of as large as 68-60.

Chris Tiu carried the Painters in the fourth with all three of his three-point conversions coming in that quarter but the Rain or Shine offense struggled when he was recalled to the bench with a little over five minutes left.

Paul Lee, the hero for the Painters against Barangay Ginebra Sunday night, was also checked at winning time, getting two of his attempts blocked, the last at the buzzer when Cliff Hodge had a piece of the ball in his potential game-tying attempt.

Meanwhile, Talk ‘N Text and San Miguel Beer, 1-2, respectively, after the eliminations, battle separate foes Tuesday looking for that one win to formalize their spots in the Final Four.

The Tropang Texters, yet to taste defeat here, slug it out with No. 8 Barangay Ginebra in the 8 p.m. main game while San Miguel locks horns with No. 7 Air21 at 5:45 p.m.

The scores:

First Game MERALCO 94—Jackson 30, David 27, Dillinger 15, Hodge 9, Wilson 5, Timberlake 4, Hugnatan 4, Ildefonso 0, Sena 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 91—Chism 27, Lee 15, Arana 10, Tiu 10, Almazan 9, Chan 8, Norwood 8, Nuyles 2, Rodriguez 2, Belga 0, Cruz 0, Tang 0, Teng 0.

Quarters: 21-19, 40-44, 69-71, 94-91

Second Game

ALASKA 86—Dozier 24, Baguio 14, Abueva 12, Thoss 12, Espinas 9, Casio 8, Jazul 6, Hontiveros 1, Reyes 0, Dela Cruz 0, Manuel 0.

SAN MIG SUPER COFFEE 77—Mays 18, Barroza 17, Yap 12, Simon 10, Devance 9, Melton 7, Pingris 4, Mallari 0, Sangalang 0, Reavis 0.

Quarters: 19-18, 37-39, 62-61, 86-77