Meralco zaps Alaska to force decider

Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — The Meralco Bolts bounced back from a Game 3 debacle to overwhelm the Alaska Aces, 86-70, Monday night, thus extending their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals series to a deciding Game 5 Wednesday. The Bolts gave the Aces a dose of their own medicine as they employed a crippling defense—an Aces’ trademark—to limit Alaska to its lowest output in the conference. The Aces shot a forgettable 33-percent (13 of 42) from the field while committing 21 turnovers. Four Bolts scored in double-digits led for the second straight time by Jared Dillinger who posted 17 points, including a three-point heave from backcourt to give Meralco a 62-52 lead at the end of the third quarter. Import Arinze Onuaku added 16 points, 16 boards and five blocks. Cliff Hodge and Bryan Faundo chipped in with 14 and 12 markers, respectively. Hodge also had 12 rebounds and a lot of hustle and energy plays that kept the Aces at bay. The Bolts unleashed a devastating 23-4 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to turn a close game into a blowout. The Aces failed to reprise their 92-72 rout of the Bolts in Game 3 as they could not get their game going due to Meralco’s defensive clampdown. Calvin Abueva, Alaska’s most energetic player, was held to 10 points and four rebounds. In the third quarter, Alaska import Rob Dozier scored eight straight points, including back-to-back three-pointers, to spark Alaska’s biggest rally, chopping Meralco’s leade to 54-52. Dozier finished with a team-high 18 points. But the Bolts quickly regrouped and pulled away for good. Game Wednesday: Meralco Bolts vs. Alaska Aces (Game 5 of best-of-5 semifinals; series tied 2-2).