Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — The NLEX Road Warriors overcame a 21-point deficit in the third quarter to extend the San Miguel Beermen's misery with a smashing 100-93 victory Tuesday night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome. It was just the second win in four starts by the Road Warriors who also came from a huge 29-point deficit in their last game against the Talk N Text Tropang Texters only to lose with a last-second shot from Jayson Castro. The Beermen tumbled to their fifth defeat in six outings to remain at the bottom of standings together with the Blackwater Elite. Import Al Thornton once again showcased his NBA pedigree, torching the net for 30 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter when the Road Warriors outscored the Beermen, 42-18. Thornton also hauled down 12 rebounds and shot a nearly impeccable 12-for-15 from the free throw line. Veteran big man Asi Taulava also imposed his height and heft in the paint, scoring 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Jonas Villanueva scattered 15 points while Mac Cardona scored all his nine points in the third quarter when the Road Warriors launched their fiery comeback. San Miguel led by as many as 21 points, 64-43, in the third quarter and 17 points at the start of the final period but ran out of gas in the face of a searing NLEX uprising which began with a 28-10 run. In just his second game for San Miguel Beer, import Arizona Reid posted a team-high 27 points on top of six rebounds and six assists. But Reid went scoreless in the fourth quarter. Arwind Santos scored a personal conference-high 20 points while Doug Kramer came off the bench to add 15 points. But all the Beermen's firepower was not enough to prevent the talent-laden and newly minted Philippine Cup champion from suffering yet another ignominious defeat. Worse, reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo suffered what appeared to be a right hamstring injury. The 6'10” center finished with 10 points and nine rebounds but had to be pulled out from the game with 2:31 left. Chris Lutz added 10 points for SMB while Alex Cabagnot was good for only six markers. Barako Bull 93, Alaska 91 Import Solomon Alabi scored the game-winning putback with two seconds left as the Barako Bull Energy edged the Alaska Aces, 93-91, to snap a two-game losing streak. Alabi finished with a team-high 23 points on top of 19 rebounds and four blocks. He had plenty of help from the Barako Bull locals, four of whom scored in double digits. Dave Marcelo finished with 18 points and eight boards, Sol Mercado adding 15 points and four assists while JC Intal and Carlo Lastimosa chipped in with 12 markers apiece. Barako Bull thus improved to a 4-2 win-loss mark, tying idle Rain or Shine at third to fourth spot in the standings. Alaska dropped to 2-4, tying NLEX and KIA at eighth to 10th spot. Import Damion James led the Aces with 39 points and 11 rebounds. Games Wednesday: Talk N Text Tropang Texters vs KIA Carnival; Blackwater Elite vs Barangay Ginebra Kings.
