JAY R. GOTERA
Saudi Gazette
MANILA — The Alaska Aces wiped out a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to pull the plug on the Meralco Bolts, 97-94, in Game 1 of their best-of-5 semifinals series of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Monday night.
RJ Jazul led Alaska’s balanced attack with 18 points, including a three-point play that allowed the Aces to grab the lead for good midway in the fourth quarter. Jazul also had three steals and two assists as he filled the spot left by starting point guard Jvee Casio, who is still nursing an injury.
Calvin Abueva was also a huge factor in the victory, finishing with 15 points, six boards, three assists and two steals before being helped to the bench with a sore left foot with 5.1 seconds left in the game.
Cyrus Baguio added 13 markers while Chris Banchero and Ping Exciminiano chipped in with 10 and 9, respectively. Import Rob Dozier let his teammates do much of the scoring, finishing with just seven points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Game Two is Wednesday with Alaska gunning for a pivotal 2-0 lead and a chance for a third straight Finals appearance.
Meralco enjoyed a double-digit lead at the end of the third quarter but could not stop a relentless Alaska attack in the final period. The Aces outscored the Bolts, 26-15, in the fourth quarter.
A crucial error by Cliff Hodge with time down to 5.1 seconds and a missed three-pointer by Ronjay Buenafe at the buzzer brought the curtains down on Meralco.
The Bolts failed to capitalize on Dozier’s early foul-trouble situation as they fell back after seizing the momentum in the first three quarters of the game.
Reynel Hugnatan paced Meralco with 21 points. Cliff Hodge had 14 markers while Jared Dillinger added 12. Anjo Caram and import Arinze Onuaku added 11 points apiece. Onuaku also collected a team-high 18 rebounds.
Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo and Greg Slaughter are in a tight race for the Most Valuable Player of the season award.
The San Miguel Beer giant has accumulated 27.52 average statistical points (SPs), just .01 ahead of his Ginebra counterpart in the closest race seen so far for the league’s highest individual award, according to chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III.
NLEX workhorse Sean Anthony came in a surprise third with 23.1 average SPs, while Terrence Romeo (22.8) and Calvin Abueva (22.4) rounded out the Top Five.
Meanwhile, Troy Rosario of Tropang TNT leads the Rookie of the Year race with 16.58 average SPs, slightly ahead of Meralco’s Chris Newsome, who has 16. Art dela Cruz of Blackwater is running third with 14.77, while Maverick Ahanmisi of Rain or Shine (14.76) and the Texters’ top pick overall Mo Tautuaa (13.76) completed the Top Five.
Game Tuesday: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. San Miguel Beermen (Game 2, best-of-5 semifinals; ROS up 1-0).
