Joseph Yeo of Ginebra (dark) vs Gary David of Meralco (light). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Meralco found a gem in import Josh Davis and the Bolts beat Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 85-74, in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Davis outplayed Michael Dunigan, who was initially the import the Bolts had wanted, with 25 points and 24 rebounds while also getting ample help from the locals with Gary David scoring 21 points and Mike Cortez adding 12.
“It’s a great start for us being able to beat Ginebra in the first game,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black. “Josh Davis controlled the boards that’s why we brought him here for.”
Dunigan finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds but was far from the player he was when he suited up for the defunct Air21 Express two seasons ago.
“Originally when I went to the States, I went to get an import for the third conference, not the second because we already gave Mike a contract,” Black said. “But that’s his choice I can’t control what he or his agent does. It’s his decision and it’s his life so we have to move on.”
“We scrambled and we were able to get a good import in Josh Davis. It’s water under the bridge now,” Black added.
The Bolts built a 62-43 lead in the third quarter before the Kings pulled within single digits, 76-68, on two free throws by Dunigan with 4:12 left.
But David scored on a long jumper and Davis tipped in his own miss for an 80-68 Meralco buffer.
“The guy who stood out especially offensively is Gary David,” Black said.
Greg Slaughter led Ginebra with 23 points and 16 rebounds but the rest of the Kings usual hitters misfired.
Chief playmaker LA Tenorio had a horrific outing with three points on 1-of-12 shooting from the field and just one assist in 21 minutes, starting forward Japeth Aguilar went without a single point and rebound while Chris Ellis, Mac Baracael, Joseph Yeo and Mark Caguioa combined for just 18 points.
The Kings looked lost and shot just 36% from the field and from the two-point area in the first game of comebacking coach Ato Agustin.
The Bolts won despite missing the services of key swingman Jared Dillinger due to a knee injury.