Alaska Aces turn back Meralco Bolts for 2nd win

MANILA—The Alaska Aces kept their poise and composure down the-stretch to escape with an 85-81 win over Meralco Bolts yesterday for their second straight win the 38th Philippine Basketball Association PBA Commissioners’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran Cyrus Baguio and rookie Calvin Abueva scored four points apiece while import Robert Dozzier added six in the last six minutes to keep their lead and thwarted Meralco B-Boys’ last ditch stand en route to joining Barako Bull at the top of the standing with a 2-0 slate.

“We have to focus on Eric Dawson. But credit goes to Sonny Thoss, he’s been doing good defense. Steady guys like Cyrus Baguio and Calvin Abueva were doing well. It’s amazing how Calvin’s energy rubs off on everybody. He has been hurting in practice.

I thought our guys gave Robert Dozier a look, his versatility is nice to watch. We are still a long way from where we should be. Meralco seemed to be playing together.

They have a good import, he’s the type of import who can win the best import of the conference award,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo.

Meralco, which won over Talk ‘N Text, 99-92, on Saturday, dropped to a tie at second along with Globalport with a 1-1 card.

Alaska was leading by as much as 13 points early in the fourth quarter but Meralco almost wiped it out with their run-and-gun rampage anchored on Mark Cardona.

After an 8-4 run by Sonny Thoss, Baguio and Abueva at the start of the pivotal period saw them take the lead 71-66 62, the B-Boys almost succeeded in grabbing the upper hand through a 15-12 run by Vic Manuel and Ronjay Buenafe.

But the Aces were quick to regain composure to insure their victory, their second following another pulsating 83-81 win over Rain or Shine last Saturday.

Dozier topscored for the Aces with 27 points, while Abueva settled for 20 and Baguio finished with 16. Vic Manuel led Meralco with 18 points but import Eric Dawson could only manage 15, six in the first half.