PBA Philippines Cup: Defensive-minded B-Meg stifles Powerade

MANILA, Philippines—Gary David was taken out of his game just as James Yap and PJ Simon took off.

Yap and Simon conspired for 41 points as B-Meg handily beat Powerade, 97-80, Wednesday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Llamados got off to a blistering start kickstarted by Yap’s 12 first quarter points as compared to the Tigers’ nine.

“Where we are right now, we’re pleased with our effort. We’re mostly pleased with our defense tonight,” said B-Meg coach Tim Cone.

And that defensive effort Cone pointed out held David to just seven points on three-of-13 shooting from the field and without a single attempt from the line.

B-Meg saw its 27-point lead dwindle down to single-digits before the Llamados went on a 14-2 surge that brought their advantage back to, 21, 88-67, with only 3:17 left.

Simon, who was back to his comfort zone as the shooting guard, topscored with 21 points while Yap, the two-time MVP, added 20 points built on four triples.

Marcio Lassiter paced the Tigers with 15 points as top rookie JV Casio struggled.

Casio, still trying to get back to his usual deadly form, only shot five points in 25 minutes.

B-Meg owned the glass as it out-rebounded Powerade, 61 to 43.