PBA: Petron hangs on for seventh straight, survives Meralco comeback

The Petron Blaze Boosters cooled off the Meralco Bolts, 77-73, in the PLDT MyDSL 2014 Philippine Cup, Saturday, in Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte.

June Mar Fajardo headlined the out-of-town match with 12 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks.

The Boosters dominated the shaded area and pulled away during a 30-16 third quarter, leading by as much as 17 points in the final period. But despite running afoul against Meralco’s notorious zone defense in the last few minutes, Petron’s lead proved to be enough to finish ahead until the final buzzer.

Coming into tonight, Meralco had won three of their last four games. They now settle for a 3-4 card. On the other hand Petron continues to cruise atop the standings, 7-0.

The Bolts started the game connecting from the perimeter, as jumpers from Jared Dillinger and Gary David built a 9-5 advantage through six minutes of sluggish play. Petron perked up after Alex Cabagnot hit back-to-back triples while battling for second-chance points down low. The Boosters edged ahead by one, until John Wilson scored off a steal with 21 seconds left to give his team an 18-17 lead.

In the second quarter, Petron looked to push the pace while June Mar Fajardo sat on the bench. However, the Bolts were solid in transition, while taking advantage of Fajardo’s absence. Meralco went on a 9-0 tear, as Gary David blew by the defense for a layup, 27-20.

Meralco struggled from the field when Fajardo returned to action. Meanwhile, Cabagnot starred anew, making an and-one and his third three-pointer during a 13-3 run, 33-30. The Bolts retook the lead in the last two minutes, as a fiery David scored six of their last seven points of the half, 37-34.

Both teams traded blows after the break, as David knotted the game off another Boosters turnover at 7:30. However, strong offensive rebounding allowed Petron to pull away. The Boosters made good use of the extra possessions, as Marcio Lassiter and Chris Ross attacked the basket for high percentage shots. Fajardo too got into the action, as he was fouled while trying to finish a fastbreak play as time expired. The center split at the line, 64-53, to cap an 18-6 blitz.

Petron erected their biggest lead of the game after Arwind Santos scored six straight, including a huge breakaway dunk, 70-53. Meralco refused to go away, though, as their zone defense walled off Petron’s scoring. Meanwhile, their frontline kicked it up a notch, as Rabeh Al-Husseini and Reynel Hugnatan banged down low while John Wilson slashed to the rim. The trio produced a 16-5 run, with two minutes and change left, but their momentum was cut short as Ross salvaged a broken play, finding an unguarded Fajardo beneath the rim for two, 77-69.

Petron wasn’t in the clear yet though, as Meralco’s defense held while Wilson scored on a couple of strong drives, though failing to covert an and-one. The Bolts got the ball back and pushed it in transition, but Wilson missed an open trey from the corner. Meralco got two more offensive boards before time ran out, but Wilson and Sunday Salvacion missed from deep as time expired.

Cabagnot added 17 points, eight rebounds, six assists and a steal in his first start of the season for the Boosters. Marcio Lassiter added 16 markers despite missing eight three-pointers, while Arwind Santos stuffed the stats sheet with 14 points, six boards, an assist, two swipes and three rejections, prior to fouling out.

Chris Lutz was scoreless in 36 minutes, missing all nine of his attempts, plus two free throws.

Meralco was led by 16 markers from Gary David. John Wilson poured in the same amount off the bench, though he was 0-of-6 from downtown. Reynel Hugnatan powered through a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds, while Rabeh Al-Hussaini was also prolific with 11 markers and 12 caroms.

Petron could have had a more decisive win had they made their free throws, converting only 14-of-31. Meralco was 12-of-20. The Boosters also led 13-3 in fast break points, and 14-6 on second-chance points. - RAF, GMA News


The scores:

PETRON (77) - Cabagnot 17, Lassiter 16, Santos 14, Fajardo 12, Ross 8, Kramer 7 Lanete 3, Lutz 0

MERALCO (73) - David 16, Wilson 16, Hugnatan 15, Al-Hussaini 11, Dillinger 8, Cortez 3, Caram 2, Sena 2, Timberlake 0, Salvacion 0, Guevarra 0 Allado 0