Games today
Araneta Coliseum
4:15 p.m.- Barako Bull vs. Kia
7:00 p.m.- NLEX vs. Rain or Shine
THE ALASKA Aces boosted their bid of earning a crucial twice-to-beat edge in the playoffs, leading from start to finish to flatten the Meralco Bolts, 89-75, last night in the 40th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Aces tallied their sixth win in eight games, tying the San Miguel Beermen at second spot in the team standings. The Beermen were still playing the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters as of this writing.
Romeo Travis collected 24 points and a league career-high 18 rebounds and was at the forefront of a fiery Alaska windup.
Alaska started the game with a 10-0 blast as Meralco failed to make a field goal until the 5:45 mark of the first period.
The Aces took control from that point on, leading by as many as 11 points before the Bolts rallied within 70-71 in the final quarter.
Alaska, however, finished off Meralco with its unforgiving defense, forcing the Bolts to just 1-for-10 field goal shooting and three turnovers in the final eight minutes.
The Aces, who played without an injured Cyrus Baguio, posted a second straight victory after an impressive 101-63 trashing of the Kia Carnivals last Friday.
The Bolts saw their two-game win streak come to an end and dropped to 4-4 (win-loss).
THE SCORES:
ALASKA (89) – Travis 24, Casio 11, Banchero 10, Abueva 8, Hontiveros 8, Manuel 6, Thoss 6, Jazul 6, Dela Rosa 4, Exciminiano 4, Menk 2, Dela Cruz 0.
MERALCO (75) – Emmett 28, Hodge 12, Ando 11, David 10, Nabong 7, Anthony 5, Ildefonso 2, Dillinger 0, Atkins 0, Cortez 0, Hugnatan 0.QUARTERSCORES: 21-12, 42-35, 67-65, 89-75.