Meralco's Gary David breaks through the double-teaming NLEX defense of Pamboy Raymundo (R) and Jonas Villanueva (L) in Sunday night's PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals action at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette
MANILA — Gary David led a ferocious Meralco comeback, exploding for 31 points, 18 of them in the fourth quarter and overtime period, as the Bolts eliminated the NLEX Road Warriors, 91-85, Sunday night in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The fifth-seeded Bolts thus arranged a best-of-five semifinals series against the top-seeded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters beginning Tuesday. Meralco import Josh Davis complemented David's heroics by dishing out 25 points, 21 of them in the second half. Davis also grabbed 22 rebounds. Veteran big man Reynel Hugnatan added 17 points. The Bolts found themselves trailing by 20 points, 46-66, in the third quarter as NLEX import Al Thornton asserted his offensive might, knocking down a series of three-pointers and nearly all his free throws. Thornton finished with 32 points to lead all scorers. But the Bolts refused to be bullied into submission as Davis and David led a searing assault backed by a relentless defensive pressure to wipe out the Road Warriors' huge lead. An 18-4 Meralco run tied the score at 82-all with 2:06 left in regulation. Both sides played an intensely defensive game with no one managing to break the ice at the end of the fourth quarter, leading to overtime. With momentum on their side, the Bolts could not be stopped in finally sweeping the Road Warriors 2-0 in their quarterfinal series. Purefoods 96, Alaska 89 The defending champion Purefoods Star Hotshots fended off a determined Alaska fightback in the endgame to hack out a 96-89 victory, for a 2-0 sweep of the Aces in their quarterfinals series. The victory sent the third-seeded Hotshots into a best-of-five semifinals duel against the second seed Talk N Text Tropang Texters. Just like in their previous game, the Hotshots pulled away in the second half, erecting a huge 20-point lead, 75-55, at the start of the fourth quarter. But unlike Game 1 of their series when Alaska was completely annihilated, the Aces this time unleashed their never-say-die brand of basketball, razing Purefoods' once imposing lead to just four points, 88-84, with over two minutes left in the game. But the Hotshots were up to the challenge as Mark Barroca fed Marc Pingris for a crucial basket as Purefoods regained a six-point lead, 90-84. Alex Mallari and Barroca then hit crucial free throws to finally vanquish the Aces. Import Denzel Bowles once again led the Hotshots with 32 points and 10 rebounds. Joe Devance added 16, Barroca finished with 14 off the bench, and James Yap chipped in 11 markers. RJ Jazul was the surprise top scorer for Alaska with 22 points. Import Damion James had 21 markers while Calvin Abueva and JVee Casio added 14 and 10 points, respectively. Game Tuesday: Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Meralco Bolts (Game 1 of best-of-5 semis).
