SMB topples TNT; Alaska downs Meralco
By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno
<strong>QUEZON CITY–The San Miguel Beermen staved of a cold first quarter to dismantle the Talk ‘n Text Tropang Texters, 101-96, in the nightcap of the Governors’ Cup games on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Outscored, 15-28, in the opening period, San Miguel blazed past Talk ‘n Text, 60-39, in the second and third periods to take the lead for good.
Playing for almost the entire game, AZ Reid finished with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists for the Beermen, who won for the seventh straight time after beginning the season-ending conference with back-to-back losses.
Jayson Castro led the Tropang Texters with 25 points on 7-of-11 shooting, five rebounds, seven assists, and a steal.
In earlier action, Alaska banked on its defense to maul Meralco, 89-75.
The Aces limited the Bolts to only 12 points in the first quarter, but let the latter score 53 in the next two quarters.
Alaska’s stifling guarding prevailed in the end as Meralco was held to only ten points in the payoff period.
Romeo Travis made 24 points, 18 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and one steal for the Aces, who despite committing 20 turnovers shot 45.8 percent from the field.
Andre Emmett tallied a game-high 28 markers along with ten rebounds and four steals for the Bolts, who only made 33.3 percent of their shots.
Box Scores:
First Game
Alaska 89-Travis 24, Casio 11, Banchero 10, Abueva 8, Hontiveros 8, Manuel 6, Thoss 6, Jazul 6, Dela Rosa 4, Exciminiano 4, Menk 2, Dela Cruz 0
Meralco 75-Emmett 28, Hodge 12, Ando 11, David 10, Nabong 7, Anthony 5, Ildefonso 2, Dillinger 0, Atkins 0, Corte 0, Hugnatan 0
Quarterscores: 21-12, 42-35, 67-65, 89-75
Second Game
San Miguel 101-Reid 29, Lassiter 15, Santos 14, Cabagnot 11, Tubid 10, Fajardo 9, Espinas 7, Ross 4, Lutz 2, Reyes 0
Talk’n Text 96-Castro 25, Pettigrew 17, Fonacier 11, Miller 10, Daghles 8, Williams 8, De Ocampo 8, Seigle 4, Carey 2, Rosser 2, Washington 1
Quarterscores: 15-28, 45-45, 75-67, 101-96
