Durham, Almazan wreak havoc

Game today (Hoops Dome Gym, Lapu-Lapu City)

5 p.m. – San Miguel vs Rain or Shine

Standings

TEAM    W            L

NLEX      7              1

TNT KaTropa      7              2

Meralco               7              2

San Miguel          6              3

Ginebra                6              3

Magnolia             5              4

Columbian          4              6

NorthPort           3              5

Alaska   3              6

Phoenix               2              7

Rain or Shine      2              7

Blackwater          2              8

Meralco generated another high-powered performance to make it four-in-a-row via a 92-74 disposal of Columbian Dyip, propping up its drive for the Top 4 in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Allen Durham and Raymond Almazan electrified with double-double efforts, with the tried and tested import delivering 34 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, and the FIBA World Cup campaigner collaring a career-high 24 rebounds on top of 18 markers as the Bolts cemented their hold of third spot with their 7-2 card.

The Bolts were driven by their defensive spunk as they held the usually high-scoring Dyip to a woeful 29.8 percent shooting clip (25-of-84).

“I told the players if we wanted to win this game, it had to be with our defense and I felt that way because we’re missing our best outside shooter in Baser Amer,” Meralco coach Norman Black said.

Amer sat the game out due to a groin injury.

“We struggled from the perimeter and from three-point land but our defense was pretty solid. Our two big men, from my point of view, dominated the game. Allen did a good job scoring in the paint and Raymond did the same in rebounding. That’s the key for the game,” said Black.

Riding the momemtum of lopsided triumphs over San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra, the Bolts wasted little time seizing control of the Friday matchup with the Dyip. They stormed to an early 22-6 tear and were up 14 after the first 12 minutes, fueling their breakaway with a stifling D that choked Columbian to a 3-of-9 field shooting.

Later, Barangay Ginebra shifted to high gear in the second half and outraced TNT KaTropa in a thrilling finish to score a 96-93 verdict and clinch a quarterfinal seat with their 6-3 mark.  

The KaTropa, who debuted trade acquisition Ray Parks and played without injured guard Jayson Castro, suffered their second straight loss and slid to a tie for second with Meralco at 7-2.

Stanley Pringle fired the go-ahead layup and LA Tenorio made a huge save that led to Justin Brownlee’s insurance freebies.

The scores:

First Game

Meralco 92 – Durham 34, Almazan 18, Newsome 10, Quinto 7, Maliksi 7, Caram 4, Hugnatan 3, Salva 3, Hodge 2, Pinto 2, Jamito 2, Faundo 0, Jackson 0, Jose 0.

Columbian 74 – Perez 21, Alston 19, Tiongson 9, Khobuntin 7, Cahilig 5, McCarthy 4, Reyes 3, Flores 3, Calvo 2, Faundo 1, Camson 0, Corpuz 0.

Quarterscores: 25-11, 45-29, 67-58, 92-74

Second Game

Ginebra 96 –Aguilar 29, Brownlee 24, Tenorio 19, Pringle 14, Dela Cruz 8, Chan 2, Thompson 0, Sargent 0, Caperal 0, Mariano 0. 

TNT 93 – McDaniels 32, Pogoy 23, Parks 17, Vosotros 2, Digregorio 2, Williams 2, De Leon 2, Semerad 0, Reyes 0.

Quarterscores: 17-23, 38-44, 74-68, 96-93