Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — A huge explosion in the third quarter was all the Alaska Aces needed to turn back the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, 112-104, Friday night in the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena. Playing TNT at its full strength with the return of team captain Jimmy Alapag, the Aces showed they were the hotter team particularly in the third quarter when they outscored the Texters, 38-28, to seize control of the match. Import Wendell McKines led the Aces with 38 points and 16 rebounds. But it was the duo of Cyrus Baguio and Sonny Thoss who did the most damage for Alaska in the third quarter, scoring nine points apiece as the Aces rocketed past the Texters. Thoss finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Baguio collected 15 points. Alaska improved to a 3-2 win-loss mark to tie Barako Bull for third to fourth place in the standings. With its third loss in five games, TNT fell into a four-team logjam at sixth to ninth place together with Barangay Ginebra, San Mig Coffee, and GlobalPort. Import Tony Mitchell led the Texters with 30 points and 12 rebounds while Ranidel de Ocampo had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Jayson Castro chipped in 15 points and eight assists. In the first match of the Friday twinner, the streaking Meralco Bolts zapped the defending champions Rain or Shine Elasto-Painters, 82-76, as they continued their amazing run in the conference. Their third straight victory catapulted the Bolts to solo second spot with a 4-2 card. ROS slid to solo fifth with an even 3-3 mark. The surprising Bolts followed up their masterful victories against the powerhouse Aces and Texters by beating the E-Painters, another giant team. This time, the Bolts won even with fiery import Mario West limited to just 17 points. West averaged 39.5 points in Meralco's last two games. Playing their finest game in the conference, John Wilson and Cliff Hodge added devastating firepower for the Bolts, firing 18 and 17 points respectively. The Bolts also played a superb defensive game, holding down ROS top gunners Paul Lee and Jeff Chan to just seven points on a combined 3-of-19 from the field. Import Arizona Reid led ROS with 22 points and nine rebounds. Jireh Ibanes added 18 points and eight boards. Meanwhile, the Bolts are acquiring point guard Mike Cortez from the Air 21 Express in exchange for the rights to center Asi Taulava. Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio confirmed the deal after their victory against the E-Painters. Taulava has spent the year playing for San Miguel Beer in the ASEAN Basketball League. Before Friday's doubleheader, the PBA announced sanctions on players who were involved in a brawl between some San Mig Coffee Mixers and GlobalPort Batang Pier last Wednesday at Cuneta Astrodome. San Mig Coffee forward Marc Pingris and GlobalPort rookie Kelly Nabong, who exchanged blows during the fight, were both suspended for two games. The two were also slapped a fine of 60,000 pesos each. San Mig Coffee forward Joe Devance, who shoved GlobalPort's Marvin Hayes which started the commotion, was suspended for one game and fined 30,000 pesos. Hayes escaped suspension but was fined 20,000 pesos for hitting San Mig Coffee import Marqus Blakely.
