Chris Ross and Eric Dawson of Meralco sandwiched Mark Barroca of San Mig Coffee on Saturday night’s game. PBA IMAGE/Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines—San Mig Coffee leaned on the all around play of Mark Barroca to beat Meralco, 97-90, Saturday night in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Barroca scattered 19 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and three steals to help the Mixers keep the Bolts at bay in the fourth quarter.
“We’re proud of our guys… the character of our team I appreciate. Mark stepped up,” said Mixers head coach Tim Cone.
San Mig Coffee improved to 8-6 while Meralco suffered its seventh defeat against six wins.
Meralco pulled to within three, 80-83, midway through the fourth period but San Mig Coffee created separation capped by a Denzel Bowles dunk, 95-84, near the final minute.
Import Eric Dawson had a game-high 29 points in a losing cause.
The scores:
SAN MIG COFFEE 97 – Bowles 27, Barroca 19, Devance 18, Simon 17, Yap 7, Mallari 3, Najorda 2, Reavis 2, De Ocampo 2, Ponferada 0, Alvarez 0, Gaco 0, Pacana 0, Gonzales 0.
MERALCO 90 – Dawson 29, Cardona 20, Salvacion 10, Buenafe 9, Borboran 6, Reyes 5, Hugnatan 5, Hodge 4, Ross 2, Timberlake 0.
Quarters: 22-15, 45-43, 80-71, 97-90