Fiery B-Meg holds off Alaska, stays at No. 2

MANILA, Philippines—For a squad loaded with so much high-scoring personnel, B-Meg certainly sent out a strong defensive message last night.

The Llamados clamped down hard on Alaska to forge a 90-75 victory—keyed in large part by holding the Aces to eight second-quarter points—and more or less assured themselves of advancing to the playoffs of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Llamados actually starved the Aces to just six points in the first 11 minutes of the second period as they turned a 25-27 first-quarter deficit into a 48-35 lead at the turn, something which Alaska was never really able to put a dent on the rest of the way.

“We had good focus right from the start and a good defensive mind-set throughout the game,” coach Tim Cone said after his wards rose to 5-2, just half a game behind idle leader Talk ‘N Text.

“Right now, our goal is to get to the top two if we can,” Cone explained, wary of a disastrous quarterfinal stint similar to the Aces’ humbling experience against Powerade in the Philippine Cup.

“Our eye is on the top two, for us to go straight to the semis and not play in a short series like we did against Powerade.”

Later in the evening, Rain or Shine routed Air21, 113-83, for just its second win in seven outings.

Denzel Bowles fired 35 points and had 18 rebounds and James Yap was good for 14 points. But it wasn’t the latter’s offense which drew praise from Cone.

“James is really surprising me defensively,” Cone said of the former two-time MVP.

Yap’s assignment last night was Cyrus Baguio, the prolific, high-flying swingman who was shooting just a shade under 20 points per game for the Aces.

Against Yap, Baguio tossed in just seven on 3-of-11 shooting.

With a 4-4 record, the Aces would now have to win its last game opposite Powerade in order to at least forge a tie for the last playoff slot.

Meanwhile, Meralco and Barako Bull fight for dear life today when they collide in a road game presented by Phoenix Fuel in Tubod, Lanao del Norte, at 6:45 p.m.

The scores:

First Game
B-MEG 90—Bowles 35, Yap J. 14, Simon 13, Urbiztondo 10, Intal 8, Pingris 4, Barroca 2, Burtscher 2, De Ocampo 2, Reavis 0.
ALASKA 75—Parada 24, Tenorio 18, Thoss 11, Baracael 8, Baguio 7, Gonzales 6, Custodio 1, Salamat 0, Eman 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 25-27, 48-35, 70-56, 90-75

Second Game
RAIN OR SHINE 113—Crews 20, Buenafe 19, Lee 13, Chan 13, Cruz 10, Norwood 9, Matias 7, Arana 6, Quinahan 5, Tang 3, Uyloan 2, Jaime 2, Belga 2, Ibanes 2.
AIR21 83—Douthit 23, Ritualo 12, Omolon 11, Escobal 9, Duncil 8, Mirza 6, Sena 4, Faundo 4, Isip 4, Hubalde 2, Sison 0, Jazul 0, Aquino 0.
Quarters: 28-16, 57-34, 78-60, 113-83