NLEX evergreen center Asi Taulava soars high over Meralco's Reynel Hugnatan as teammate Kwame Alexander and Meralco's Gary David (L) look on in Wednesday night's PBA Governors' Cup action at the Cuneta Astrodome. Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette
MANILA — The Barangay Ginebra Kings finally nailed their first win after two straight losses, beating the Kia Carnival, 105-98, Wednesday night in the PBA Governors' Cup. Import Orlando Johnson continued to show marvelous form, pouring in 47 points on top of 17 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in over 41 minutes of play to lead the Kings to a hard-fought victory against a rejuvenated Kia squad, which debuted with a win over San Miguel Beer last week. The Carnival were in high spirits with the arrival of playing coach Manny Pacquiao who showed with a sling on his injured right shoulder following his defeat in the so-called “Fight of the Century” against American champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas. Pacquiao's presence, however, could not save the Carnival from taking its first loss in the face of a determined Ginebra team itching for a win. Mark Caguioa added 16 points while Josh Urbiztondo and LA Tenorio chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively, for the Kings who were still without injured twin towers Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar and wingman Chris Ellis. Senegalese 7-footer Hamady N'Diaye led Kia with 19 points, 25 rebounds, and five blocks. LA Revilla added 20 points, five boards and six assists. Karl Dehesa chipped in with 19 markers, while Asian import Jet Chang from Taiwan and Hyram Bagatsing chimed in 10 points each. NLEX 91, Meralco 84 With American import Kwame Alexander and veteran Asi Taulava delivering the goods, the NLEX Road Warriors defeated the Meralco Bolts, 91-84, to notch their first victory in the conference after two losses. The high-flying 6'7” Alexander posted 29 points and 17 rebounds while Taulava had a double-double of 20 points and 11 boards to snap the Road Warriors' five-game losing streak dating back to their last three games in the 2015 Commissioner's Cup where NLEX failed to make it to the playoffs. KG Canaleta added 13 points, including three triples, while Mac Cardona chipped in nine points, all of them in the fourth quarter. NLEX won despite missing the services of its highly regarded Asian import Michel Madanly from Syria who remained in sick bay with a neck injury. Madanly averages 17 points a game. The Bolts absorbed their second loss in three games despite import Andre Emmett exploding for 44 points. Asian import Seiya Ando from Japan debuted in the PBA, posting 18 points for Meralco. Ando replaced Iranian guard Benny Koochoie. Veteran gunner Gary David, who churned out 23 points in Meralco's victory over San Miguel last Saturday, was limited to just two points on a miserable 0-of-8 shooting from the field. Meralco was down by 10 points but came to within a basket, 76-78, after an Emmett three-pointer in the final period. However, Canaleta, Taulava and Jonas Villanueva scored a barrage of baskets to foil the Bolts' comeback bid. Games Friday: Talk N Text Tropang Texters vs. Barako Bull Energy; Alaska Aces vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
