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MERALCO import Allen Durham goes strong for the basket against Alaska defenders during PBA semifinal action Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. The Bolts won, 97-92. (PBA Media Bureau)
By Jonas Terrado
Game Today
(Mall of Asia Arena)
7 p.m. – Meralco vs Alaska
(Meralco leads series 1-0)
The miracle men of the Meralco Bolts shoot for a commanding 2-0 lead that will put them closer toward a finals return when their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals against the Alaska Aces shifts to the Mall of Asia Arena tonight for Game 2 of their best-of-five series.
Oozing with confidence after weathering a 1-6 start in the tournament, the Bolts go for their eighth consecutive win that will put the Aces in uncomfortable position in the match slated 7 p.m.
All eyes will be on reigning Best Import Allen Durham as he is expected to do the heavy lifting once more for Meralco after scoring 32 points in Sunday’s 97-92 victory at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Durham’s series of stirring performances have enabled the Bolts to survive six do-or-die matches on their way to an unexpected semifinal berth for the third straight time in the Governors’ Cup, which is why his play may determine tonight’s outcome.
“I think we’re in a groove right now. Everybody’s peaking at the right time, we’re playing well right now so hopefully we just keep going and ride on this streak as long as we can,” said Durham, who refused to take sole credit on Meralco’s upswing.
Chris Newsome, Baser Amer and Reynel Hugnatan, to name a few, have also stepped up for the Bolts, and coach Norman Black is also counting on them to deliver as they brace for an Aces recovery.
Alaska guard Chris Banchero hopes to play a big role despite still dealing with an injured ankle sustained in the quarterfinal win over San Miguel Beer at midweek.
But Banchero is more focused on seeing the Aces play much better this time after letting the Bolts go on a first half tear that forced them to play catch up the rest of the way.
“We can’t go down 2-0 against a team like Meralco,” he said. “We need to even out the series and I can promise you, we’re going to come out with a lot more fire than we did in the first half.”
While Alaska will again flaunt its trademark pressure defense against Meralco, it is also looking to improve on a 4-of-24 shooting from three-point land in hopes of tying the series.
Leading Best Import candidate Mike Harris will be seen to continue his Game 1 performance where he put up 37 points and 18 rebounds. Getting enough support, however, is going to be much more crucial for the wards of coach Alex Compton.
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