MERALCO import Josh Davis (right) rejects Rain or Shine’s Richard Jackson in last night’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines—Meralco extended its franchise-best start to four games on Tuesday night after bringing down another powerhouse in Rain or Shine, 92-87, behind a strong windup for the solo lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cupat Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Josh Davis scored half of the Bolts’ 30 fourth-quarter points, spearheading their fightback from 11 points down in the period.
The win enabled Meralco to wriggle out of a three-team logjam at the top.
The Elasto Painters led, 76-65, early in the final frame before their outside shooting went south. Rain or Shine dropped to a level 2-2 record with its first loss in its last three games.
Globalport, meanwhile, was forced to stick it out with original import CJ Leslie and then picked injury-ravaged Alaska apart, 95-73, in the second game.
With his replacement, Calvin Warner, failing to secure his release from the Jordan pro league, the Batang Pier and Leslie broke away in the third period before improving to 2-2 overall and dealing the Aces their second loss in three starts.
Alaska was already without Sonny Thoss and JV Casio for the first two games and played without Vic Manuel and Calvin Abueva against the Batang Pier.
Leslie finished with 30 points, 18 rebounds and four assists.
Davis, with whom coach Norman Black had to settle for after failing to sign Barangay Ginebra’s Michael Dunigan, came up with his finest offensive game in the PBA so far to silence all doubters.
“I’d like to give a lot of credit to Josh Davis,” Black said. “A lot of people have been criticizing his offense. He was able to put the points on the board and help us win the game.”
Davis also hauled down 14 rebounds, had four assists and as many blocks.
Meralco has never had a start this good, and what makes it even more special as far as Black is concerned is the fact that his squad has chopped down three talented teams in that streak, the others being Talk ‘N Text and crowd-darling Barangay Ginebra. They also beat KIA Motors and 7-foot-3 PJ Ramos.
Mike Cortez contributed 13 points, and Gary David tossed in 11 with Cliff Hodge finishing with 10 for the Bolts.
Rick Jackson scattered 22 points and plucked down 18 rebounds for ROS.
Meanwhile, defending champion Purefoods tries to again climb into a tie with the Bolts when it tackles NLEX also at the Big Dome in Cubao at 7 p.m.
The scores:
First Game
MERALCO 92—Davis 31, Cortez 13, David 11, Hodge 10, Anthony 8, Wilson 7, Dillinger 6, Hugnatan 4, Ferriols 2, Reyes 0, Atkins 0, Ildefonso 0, Buenafe 0, Sena 0, Macapagal 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 87—Jackson 22, Lee 12, Chan 11, Arana 10, Norwood 9, Tang 7, Uyloan 4, Almazan 4, Quinahan 3, Ibanes 2, Cruz 2, Belga 1, Teng 0, Tiu 0.
Quarters: 22-27, 41-47, 62-73, 92-87
Second Game
GLOBALPORT 95—Leslie 30, Romeo 25, Pringle 12, Isip 6, Buenafe 5, Jensen 5, Semerad 4, Ponferrada 4, Nabong 4, Miranda 0, Taha 0, Caperal 0, Pinto 0, Baclao 0.
ALASKA 73—Covington 25, Hontiveros 11, Dela Cruz 7, Baguio 6, Espinas 6, Jazul 5, Exciminiano 4, Menk 4, Dela Rosa 3, Eman 2, Banchero 0, Vanlandingham 0.
Quarters: 18-27, 44-35, 66-54, 95-73
RELATED STORIES
Globalport routs ailing AlaskaHYPERLINK “https://sports.inquirer.net/173038/injured-manuel-abueva-sit-out-as-aces-take-beating-from-batang-pier”
Injured Manuel, Abueva sit out as Aces take beating from Batang Pier
Meralco sneaks past Rain or Shine, stretches best start to 4-0