Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The Bolts aren’t done yet.
Meralco notched a 86-70 win over the Alaska Aces in Game 4 of their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series on Monday (May 2) at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Jared Dillinger and import Arinze Onuaku carried the Bolts to force a fifth and deciding game. Dillinger had 17 points and five rebounds, while Onuaku registered a double-double of 16 points and 16 boards.
Cliff Hodge added 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Brian Faundo chipped in 12 and seven.
Meralco only had a two-point lead at halftime before going on a tear in the second half. The Bolts extended their lead to 10 points at the end of the quarter, and used a 15-2 run to start the final frame to build a 21-point lead they would never relinquish.
Alaska trimmed the deficit to 13 but that was as close as it would get.
Rob Dozier had 18 points and 15 rebounds for the Aces, while Calvin Abueva and RJ Jazul scored 10 apiece.
Game 5 between Alaska and Meralco is on Wednesday (May 4) at 7 p.m. at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The scores:
MERALCO 86 – Dillinger 17, Onuaku 16,Hodge 14, Faundo 12, Caram 8, Newsome 7, Alapag 6, Hugnatan 6. Bono 0, Buenafe Ry 0, Amer 0.
ALASKA 70 – Dozier 18, Abueva 10, Jazul 10, Hontiveros 8, Baclao 6, Thoss 6, Banchero 5, Exciminiano 3, Baguio 2, Dela Rosa 2, Dela Cruz 0, Eman 0.
Quarters: 19-16, 36-34, 62-52, 86-70
