MERALCO’S Reynel Hugnatan (front) tries an undergoal stab against Alaska’s Rob Dozier. Dozier and the Aces nailed the key win. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
WITH its defense not budging an inch all game long, Alaska scored the most lopsided win in the Final Four of the Oppo-PBA Commissioner’s Cup and took a huge step toward another title series appearance.
“I felt we defended for 48 minutes today,” Alaska coach Alex Compton said after a dominating 92-72 victory over Meralco for a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five semifinal series at Smart Araneta Coliseum last night. “It was, again, our defense.”
While the Aces were starving the Bolts’ gunners, Alaska got big offensive games from import Rob Dozier and leading Best Player of the Conference candidate Calvin Abueva, who combined for 48 points.
Dozier and Abueva scored all but six of the Aces’ 26 points in the third period where the Aces started peeling away, their combined output four points better than the entire Meralco total in that period.
Compton and his Aces can clinch a third successive shot at a championship with a victory in Game 4 set on Monday also at the Big Dome in Cubao.
Arinze Onuaku led the Bolts with 16 hard-earned points as the burly import was doubled every time he got a touch close to the basket.
“I thought our defense on Onuaku was much better [today compared to Game 2],” Compton went on. “If we can double [team] him on the bench, we would. We can’t let a huge guy like that get a rhythm.”
The win was the most decisive by any team in the semifinals, which continue tomorrow with Rain or Shine trying to wrap up its series against San Miguel Beer at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, a trade that was supposedly signed by Mahindra and GlobalPort was withheld during game time last night for unspecified reasons.
The Enforcers were supposed to send Fil-American guards Karl Dehesa and Mike DiGregorio to the Batang Pier for Paolo Taha, Jonathan Uyloan and Roi Sumang only to recall the deal. No reasons were given by the PBA.
San Miguel Beer has recalled an old, reliable hand in an effort to salvage its Final Four series against Rain or Shine as Arizona Reid is set to arrive today.
Reid will take the place of the fired Tyler Wilkerson, the leading Best Import candidate who had a run-in with coaching staff and management after a bitter Game 2 loss last Tuesday.
The scores:
ALASKA 92—Dozier 25, Abueva 23, Banchero 16, Menk 6, Baclao 4, Baguio 4, Exciminiano 4, Jazul 4, Hontiveros 2, Thoss 2, Dela Rosa 1, Racal 1, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0.
MERALCO 72—Onuaku 16, Alapag 12, Hodge 12, Hugnatan 12, Dillinger 9, Buenafe Ry 5, Caram 4, Faundo 2, Amer 0, Bono 0, Ferriols 0, Guevarra 0, Newsome 0.
Quarters: 15-20, 38-38, 66-54, 92-72