Meralco slowly but surely picked Alaska apart on its way to a comfortable 101-75 triumph in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.
Baser Amer was back in his scoring element, dropping a game-high 27 points with five rebounds and four assists to lead the Bolts.
The ever workhorse that he is, Allen Durham likewise shone, almost having a triple-double with 25 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists to his credit.
Meralco improved to 2-1 to move up the ladder.
On the other hand, the hapless Aces still couldn’t catch a break, dropping to 0-4 to remain at the cellar.
The Bolts started gaining some headway in the second period where they headed halftime carrying a 43-37 lead.
Amer’s triple at the 9:05 mark of the third gave Meralco its first double-digit lead, 54-44.
Already in the zone, the Bolts doubled in on their efforts and followed up with a 16-8 run to hike up their lead to 18 points, 70-52, with 2:35 remaining in the third after a completed three-point play by Durham.
There was no looking back from there.
Meralco cruised the rest of the way to get the much-needed feel good victory.
Raymund Almazan continued to improve his game as a Bolt, adding 15 points and nine boards.
Even new Alaska import Franko House wasn’t able to help the team turn its fortunes around.
House only managed eight points with 11 rebounds and six assists in a sup-par debut.
Chris Banchero and Simon Enciso had 12 points each to lead Alaska, who was never in the game the entire second half of play.
The scores:
MERALCO 101—Amer 27, Durham 25, Almazan 15, Newsome 9, Hugnatan 5, Quinto 4, Jamito 4, Salva 4, Quinto 4, Faundo 2, Pinto 2, Canaleta 0, Jackson 0, Tolomia 0.
ALASKA 75—Banchero 12, Enciso 12, Tratter 9, Thoss 9, Casio 9, Ayaay 8, Manuel 8, House 8, Galliguez 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 43-37, 72-61, 101-75.