Powerade torches Petron Blaze five

Powerade snapped out of a two-game skid in a big way Saturday night, routing Petron, 98-88, in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup road game presented by Phoenix Fuel at the Ibalog Recreation Center in Legazpi City.

The Tigers built leads of as many as 30 points in the first half as they chalked up their third win in five games, putting them in a five-way tie for second place behind the pace-setting Texters.

The Boosters dropped to a level 3-3 card with their second straight loss.

Gary David hit 25 points and rookie Marcio Lassiter had 23 for the Tigers.

Meanwhile, crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra and B-Meg break a second-place tie when they
clash Sunday even as Meralco and Rain or Shine slug it out for dear life in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Gin Kings, coming off a close loss to the B-Boys last Wednesday, and the Llamados mix it up in the 6:35 p.m. game, with the winner inching closer to a playoff berth.

B-Meg will come into the match well-rested and the Llamados try to capitalize on this against the Kings, who will be seeing action for the third time since last week.

Jackson Vroman, with a 1-1 mark since suiting up for the Kings, and Mark Caguioa will again lead Ginebra.

Vroman was kept on the bench more than he wanted in his last game after being saddled with fouls early by trying to fight off the stingy Meralco defense.

The Rain or Shine-Meralco match carries a lot of significance with the loser bowing out from further competition and the winner clinging to its slim chance of advancing.

With a 2-4 record, Meralco needs to sweep its remaining three games to stay alive. Rain or Shine is at 1-4.

The scores:
POWERADE 98—David 25, Lassiter 23 , Jones 22, Anthony 8, Casio 8, Kramer 8, Cruz 2, Vanlandingham 2, Adducul 0, Calimag 0.
PETRON 88—Fazekas 21, Miranda 19, Yeo 15, Cabagnot 13, Santos 11, Tugade 7, Agustin 2, Reyes 0, Doruelo 0.
Quarters: 41-23, 66-39, 81-68, 98-88