Paolo Hubalde of Barako (light) vs anny Ildefonso of Meralco (dark). PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—Meralco barged into the top spot of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup after dispensing Barako Bull, 98-85, Friday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the win, the Bolts snapped their two-game losing streak while extending the Energy’s skid to three games.
Meralco had Barako in the ropes late in the fourth but Nico Salva found his touch and scored all of his 10 points in the final quarter to cut the Bolts lead to five, 86-81.
Gary David, however, would zap the Bolts back to life first with a timely dish to the waiting Reynel Hugnatan in the right corner for a three-pointer to put Meralco up 89-81 with 2:31 left in the fourth.
David then hit a three of his own from the left wing with 1:56 left to give the Bolts an 11-point lead, 92-81.
Bolts head coach Norman Black was thankful that import Josh Davis was back at “a hundred percent” after his nasty fall in their game against San Miguel.
“Overall it was a great defensive effort, Davis was there and we were able to limit the import of Barako,” Black said whose team now has a 6-2 record.
“Davis is not much of a scorer but he really helps us in the paint defensively with his length.”
And it was Davis who put the finishing touch with a reverse layup off his offensive rebound with 1:02 remaining to put the game at 96-83.
Davis led the Bolts with a ridiculous 32-point, 19-rebound game while Hugnatan added 21 points and six boards.
Solomon Alabi paled against Davis only putting up 14 points and grabbing 12 boards as Barako slipped to ninth place with a 4-5 card.
The scores:
Meralco 98 — Davis 32; Hugnatan 21, David 14, Hodge 8, Wilson 7, Dillinger 4, Ferriols 4, Cortez 4, Ildefonso 2, Caram 2, Anthony 0, Buenafe 0, Macapagal 0.
Barako Bull 85 — Alabi 14, Hubalde 13, Lanete 13, Intal 10, Salva 10, Lastimosa 7, Garcia 6, Pascual 6, Marcelo 4, Matias 2, Salvador 0.
Quarters: 24-20; 49-38; 70-61; 98-85.