Meralco halts Alaska streak

Meralco roared to its fourth straight victory while putting Alaska's run to a screeching halt, 89-74, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts got it going in the third period and fended off Alaska's mini runs late to climb to a share of second spot with their foe with identical 7-2 win-loss records.

With a balanced attack, the Bolts outscored the Aces, 32-17, in the third period before finally taking the fight out of their foes in the final frame.

Chris Newsome led Meralco with 18 points to go with four rebounds and eight assists. Baser Amer and Jared Dillinger scored 17 each for the Bolts, who snapped Alaska's seven-game winning streak.

Arinze Onuaku came up with 14 points and 23 rebounds. Nino Canaleta and Ranidel de Ocampo had 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Meralco coach Norman Black was pleased to see his wards excel on both ends given the implications of the match. With the win, Meralco improves its chances to clinch a top two spot that comes with a twice-tobeat edge in the playoffs.

"We went into this game today knowing it's gonna be tough. I told the players before the game that something had to give, with Alaska going to this game scoring 108 points a game and we only gave up 87," said Black.

"I expressed to the players that something's gonna give here, we'll either have a good defensive game or they'll have a good offensive game."—

ESPN5