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29 March 2024

Meralco Bolts, Tropang Texters win in PBA QFs

Published
By Correspondent

Friday night saw Meralco Bolts keyed an 88-85 win over San Mig Coffee while Talk ‘N’ Text prevailed over Petron Blaze, 100-93, in the quarterfinals of PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum, in Cubao, Quezon City in the Philippines.
 
Eric Dawson piggybacked his teammates at crunch time and catapulted the Bolts to another quarterfinal win over the Coffee Mixers, scoring the Bolts’ final four points from the stripe inside the final 3.17.
 
“We’re climbing on his back, riding the wave and letting him lead us,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said of Dawson, who was not limping at all despite having had a slip against Rain or Shine last Wednesday.
 
Talk ‘N’ Text import Jerome Jordan registered a mediocre game, scoring just 11 points and making five rebounds—a performance which, according to coach Norman Black, he could have done in five minutes if he was playing well.
 
The two three-point shots by Ryan Reyes proved useful for Tropang Texters in the fourth quarter, as they survived the Blaze Boosters despite Jordan not being in his best.
 
“You can’t expect the locals to come out and carry us every night,” Black said of the 7-foot Jordan, formerly a New York Knick in the National Basketball Association. “I just need to get the best out of him. It’s too late now to think of changing imports.”
 
Scoreboard:
 
(First Game)
Meralco (Bolts) 88—Dawson 25, Buenafe 13, Salvacion 13, Manuel 8, Cardona 8, Ross 7, Hugnatan 6, Hodge 4, Reyes 3, Artadi 1.
 
San Mig Coffee (Mixers) 85—Bowles 37, Mallari 12, Simon 9, Yap 8, Pingris 7, Barroca 6, Devance 6, Gaco 0, Najorda 0, Reavis 0, De Ocampo 0.
 
Quarters: 16-26, 47-43, 70-66, 88-85
 
(Second Game)

Talk ‘N’ Text (Tropang Texters) 100—De Ocampo 22, Reyes 16, Fonacier 14, Jordan 11, Castrro 11, Peek 11, Al-Hussaini 8, Alapag 3, Dillinger 2, Carey 2, Aban 0.
 
Petron (Blaze Boosters) 93—Sims 22, Lassiter 17, Fajardo 13, Tubid 11, Miranda 9, Santos 8, Cabagnot 7, Washington 4, Lutz 2, Pena 0.
 
Quarters: 21-19, 41-41, 72-69, 100-93