By Diego de la Paz
CUBAO, Philippines (Eagle News) – MERALCO fought tooth and nail against Alaska before putting up a huge third quarter performance and ran off as winners via an 86-70 count in Game 4 of the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semi-final on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jared Dillinger energized Meralco’s campaign with 17 points with five rebounds in 33 minutes on the floor. Arinze Onuaku scrapped with the Aces’ big guns, adding 16 points with 16 rebounds and five blocked shots to win best player honors.
Both teams will figure in a do-or-die battle on Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. (Philippines time), for the right to face the idle Rain Or Shine in the best-of-seven finals.
“It was about us winning and trying to stay alive,” Meralco Head Coach Norman Black said. “Our backs were against the wall, but now we have a chance to go to the finals.”
Coming off an embarrassing 92-72 loss in Game 3 last Friday, the Bolts kept in check with the Aces before reserve forward Bryan Faundo aiding a hot 12-3 start in the first three minutes of the third period for the game’s biggest lead, 48-37.
Despite a comeback bid by the Aces late in the period, the Bolts made timely buckets down the stretch – including a miracle heave by Dillinger from three-quarter court at the buzzer – to continue its mastery of the contest, 62-52.
From there, the Bolts would not relent and kept bringing on the energy, relying on rookie Chris Newsome to build its advantage to a high of 21, 77-56, and never let go.
Rob Dozier – playing through a sprained ankle sustained at the 2:35 mark of the second period – topped all Alaska scorers with 18 points and 15 rebounds in playing all but four minutes of the game.
However, Dozier failed to gain the full support of his local teammates, as Calvin Abueva and RJ Jazul scoring 10 apiece, and Dondon Hontiveros firing eight markers for the Aces.
Photo credit: Peter Baltazar / Sports On Air
