Laro sa Miyerkules
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5:15 p.m. Ginebra vs Rain or Shine
7:30 p.m. Alaska vs Meralco
MANILA, Philippines - Nakamit ni coach Ryan Gregorio ang kanyang hinahangad para sa Bolts.
Sinikwat ng Meralco ang No. 4 berth sa quarterfinal round matapos talunin ang San Mig Coffee, 87-77, sa 2012-13 PBA Philippine Cup kagabi sa Mall of Asia Arena sa Pasay City.
“We really wanted to put our spirit to the test in terms of finishing the elimination round. This is the best finish for our young franchise – we are seeded No. 4,” ani Gregorio sa kanyang Bolts. “That is why we are happy. We just wanted to break barriers. Not that we were able to zero in on that No. 4 slot, our minds will now focus on the quarterfinals against Alaska.”
May 8-6 record ngayon ang Meralco katulad ng Alaska sa ilalim ng nagdedepensang Talk ‘N Text (11-2), San Mig Coffee (10-4) at Rain or Shine (9-5) kasunod ang Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (7-6), Petron Blaze (6-8), Air21 (5-9) at mga sibak nang Barako Bull (4-10) at Globalport (1-13).
Ang No.1 Tropang Texters at No. 2 Mixers ay may bitbit na ‘twice-to-beat’ advantage laban sa No. 8 Express at No. 7 Boosters, ayon sa pagkakasunod.
Sasagupain naman ng No. 4 Bolts ang No. 5 Aces sa best-of-three quarterfinals series kagaya ng No. 3 Elasto Painters katapat ang No. 6 Gin Kings.
Tumipa sina Mark Cardona at Reynel Hugnatan ng tig-15 points para banderahan ang opensa ng Meralco kasunod ang 12 ni Sol Mercado, habang may 19 si PJ Simon at career-high 15 si rookie Aldrech Ramos sa panig ng San Mig Coffee.
Ipinahinga ni Mixers’ mentor Tim Cone si two-time PBA Most Valuable Player James Yap dahil sa bone spurs.
Meralco 87 - Cardona 15, Hugnatan 15, Mercado 12, Borboran 9, Buenafe 9, Reyes 8, Sharma 7, Hodge 5, Salvacion 3, Nabong 2, Ross 2, Bulawan 0.
San Mig Coffee 77 - Simon 19, Ramos 15, Barroca 8, Pingris 8, De Ocampo 8, Gaco 5, Devance 4, Intal 3, Ponferada 2, Villanueva 2, Gonzales 2, Reavis 1, Pacana 0.
Quarterscores: 19-15; 45-39; 68-61; 87-77.