PBA: Alaska survives Gary David-fueled Meralco comeback try, gets last QFs berth

(Updated 10:33pm) The Alaska Aces knocked out the Meralco Bolts, 94-91, in the rubber match for the last quarterfinals slot in the PLDT MyDSL 2014 PBA Philippine Cup, Monday, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Meralco flamed out of the conference by losing seven of their last nine games. Alaska on the other hand won two straight just in the nick of time, and penciled themselves in for a twice-to-beat disadvantage series against top team Ginebra.

Sonny Thoss anchored the Aces with 21 points and seven rebounds. Dondon Hontiveros notched 20 points, while Gabby Espinas and Cyrus Baguio had 16 apiece. JVee Casio had 13 markers, nine boards and five assists.

Luigi Trillo gushed with praise for his players as his team lived to fight another day. "You really feel proud of them when it's a back-to-back game with extended minutes," he said, also thanking Meralco for putting up a strong fight. "We needed to weather that storm of theirs," he added.

The Aces led by as much as 17 points late in the third quarter, but Meralco summoned a 16-9 comeback in the fourth, capped by a Gary David four-point play with 5.1 seconds left. Despite Thoss missing two free throws on the next possession, Dondon Hontiveros cleaned up the game from the line to hang on for the win.

Trillo said it was difficult to motivate his team through a difficult conference, but that task was nothing compared to playing back-to-back must-win games in order to survive.

"You look at those six games which could've gone either way. If we won half of that, we're in the top two," he said. The Aces now have a day off, before suiting up again, this time versus number one seed Ginebra. "You wanna cherish the opportunity to play against a team that's not only popular, but playing well. We're gonna have to take a step back with my staff and we'll figure it out tomorrow," he finished.

The Aces played tough on both ends during the first quarter, forcing Meralco into turnovers while making contested shots on offense, to take an 11-2 lead on a Gabby Espinas and-one. The Bolts flipped the script though as John Wilson and Cliff Hodge took it to the hoop for 12 of their next 16 points, landing three personal fouls on Calvin Abueva in the process.

Sonny Thoss drove baseline with eight seconds to play, giving Alaska their second bucket in the last six minutes. However, Paul Artadi returned the favor with a layup of his own as the first frame expired, 20-15

Meralco led by as much as 28-20 after twin baskets by Reynel Hugnatan. However, the Aces surged back after JVee Casio hit a technical free throw for Wilson showing resentment to a call, and Cyrus Baguio dropped five points to retake a 30-28 lead.

At 4:46, Gabby Espinas received a flagrant one foul for hitting Hodge twice in the face while the two jostled for a rebound. Hodge split, but the foul didn't have the same catalytic effect for the Bolts as Alaska's technical did. Sunday Salvacion converted two triples to help Meralco get by, while Baguio and Thoss continued to have their way and posted a 42-39 halftime lead for Alaska.


The Aces clobbered Meralco with a 19-5 run to open the third quarter, relying on tough interior defense to stop the Bolts in their tracks. Veteran gunner Dondon Hontiveros dropped seven points during the stretch to blow the game open, 61-44.

Paul Artadi nailed consecutive treys at the 4:16 mark to spark a 12-3 swing, 66-58. But a Thoss midrange bucket ended the run, and Espinas added four more to keep a 70-60 lead after three quarters.

Jared Dillinger and Gary David kicked off the fourth period with an 11-4 run, capped by David cleaning up an Artadi miss on the break, 74-71. Alaska responded with Baguio finishing a 9-3 rally in vintage fashion, drawing an and-one before converting an up-and-under layup, 83-74, at the 7:00 mark.

Hodge and David overpowered Alaska inside to get with five points, 88-83, with under three minutes to play. But before the Bolts could make it a one-possession game, Thoss salvaged an RJ Jazul airball with 1:46 remaining, 90-83.

After coming up empty once, Dillinger scored on a drive. David then struck with a four-point play from the left corner, 90-89, drawing Casio's sixth personal foul in the process with 51 seconds left. Thoss drove on the other end, was fouled, but blanked both tries from the stripe. Meralco had a chance to take the lead but David's elbow jumper hit the front of the rim, and Dondon Hontiveros secured the rebound. He was fouled with eight seconds left and made both, 92-89.

Out of timeouts, Dillinger streaked up the court and laid the ball in with 5.3 ticks to spare, 92-91. Alaska called their last full timeout, but asked for another break as they were unable to inbound the ball. Hontiveros took the ball, was fouled, and knocked down two charities. The Bolts had to settle for a prayer from Hodge just past halfcourt, which hit nothing but air as the final buzzer rang.

Alaska shot the ball well, converting 32-of-70 (45.7 percent) from the floor against Meralco's 29-of-78 (37.2 percent) mark.

The Bolts were up 18-4 in fast break points. Both squads were nearly even in turnovers, 15-13 in Alaska's favor, who also led 18-16 in turnover points.

Gary David led Meralco with 20 points. Paul Artadi had 15 points and seven rebounds. Cliff Hodge finished with 14 markers and 10 caroms. Jared Dillinger had 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Sunday Salvacion sprinkled 11 markers. - AMD, GMA News


The scores:

ALASKA 94 - Thoss 21, Hontiveros 20, Espinas 16, Baguio 16, Casio 13, Jazul 4, Eman 4, Dela Cruz 0, Ramos 0, Abueva 0

MERALCO 91 - David 20, Artadi 15, Hodge 14, Dillinger 12, Salvacion 11, Wilson 9, Hugnatan 6, Ildefonso 2, Allado 2, Timberlake 0, Al-Hussaini 0

Quarter scoring: 15-20, 42-39, 70-60, 94-91