Jul 31, 2021

Meralco maintains Top 3 spot with second straight win against Alaska

MERALCO firmed up its Top 3 position with an 89-80 disposal of Alaska in the 46th PBA Philippine Cup's lone Saturday offering at the Ynares Sports Arena.

The Bolts turned to an array of heroes and their trademark tough defense to score their fourth win in five outings and move half-a-game adrift unbeaten leader Magnolia (4-0).

Chris Newsome dished out 14 points, 11 rebounds and six assists with unlikely top scorer Nards Pinto (16) and hot-shooting rookie Alvin Pasaol (13 on 3-of-3 three-point shooting) making big time contributions.

Raymond Almazan also chipped in 12 to go with eight rebounds and one block as the Bolts posted a follow up to their 91-80 verdict over Phoenix last Wednesday and matched the Hotshots' four wins.

"I think once again, we played well defensively; we were able to hold Alaska down as far as offense is concerned," said coach Norman Black, whose charges held Alaska (2-3) to a 36.6 percent marksmanship on the floor (26-of-71).

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He lauded the Bolts for the team effort.

"We got a good lift from a lot of players. Nards Pinto stepped up and did a great job, Alvin Pasaol came off the bench and was very good, Aaron Black contributed also. Of course, Chris Newsome has been consistent for us and did it again tonight. Raymond Almazan held our middle along with Cliff Hodge," said Black.

"So a lot of contribution from a lot of different players in a lot of areas.
"It's good to get that fourth win because Magnolia already has four and we try to keep up as much as possible in the standings," added Black.

The Bolts established control in the second quarter, where they unleashed an 11-0 spurt to break a 19-19 tie.

They stretched their lead to as many as 16 (at 49-33).
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The Aces mounted a serious uprising in the fourth and got to within four but Pasaol, Black, Almazan and Pinto stepped forward to tow Meralco to the finish line.

Gab Banal (20) and Maverick Ahanmisi (16), the anchors of the Alaska rally, led the scoring parade for the Aces. (OL)

The Scores
Meralco 89 - Pinto 16, Newsome 14, Pasaol 13, Almazan 12, Black 8, Belo 7, Hugnatan 7, Hodge 4, Quinto 4, Jackson 2, Maliksi 2.

Alaska 80 - Banal 20, Ahanmisi 16, Digregorio 10, Taha 8, Teng 7, Tratter 4, Casio 4, Brondial 4, Adamos 3, Herndon 2, Stockton 2.

Quarterscores: 17-14, 41-31, 62-56, 89-80.