Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Alaska Aces defeated the Meralco Bolts, 89-75, to notch their sixth win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday (June 9).
Romeo Travis had 24 points and 18 boards for Alaska, who had a huge 12-point edge over the Bolts in points in the paint.
JVee Casio scored 11, while Chris Banchero chipped in 10 off the pine.
The Aces now hold a 6-2 win-loss card.
Early in the fourth quarter Alaska was up by six but Emmett scored five straight points to pull Meralco within one, 71-70.
The Aces, however, answered with seven straight points of their own to push their margin to eight, 77-70, with 5:17 left to play.
Meralco doused the fire with a bucket from Cliff Hodge but Travis quickly responded for Alaska. Emmett made a split from the line on the Bolts’ next possession to trim the lead to seven, 80-73, 4:02 remaining.
A free throw from Travis and a transition layup from Casio put Alaska head, 83-73. Meralco came up empty on the next play down as Hontiveros knocked down a long jumper to make it a 12-point lead for the Aces, 2:34 left on the clock.
The Bolts tried to crawl back but they just couldn’t buy a basket. Alaska kept their foot on the pedal with Travis and Calvin Abueva each scoring a basket to further widen the gap to 16 points, 89-73, 56 seconds to go, enough to secure the victory.
Meralco, who slid in the standings with a 4-4 record, was led by Emmett’s 28 points and 10 boards.
The scores:
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.
Quarters: 21-12; 42-35; 67-65; 89-75.
