The Meralco Bolts led by Allein Maliksi’s 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assist-performance held their ground as the Alaska Aces mounted a huge third quarter run winning the game, 93-81 at The PBA Bubble, Clark, Pampanga.
The University of Santo Tomas product contributed well on all four quarters as Allein shot consistently to always get an edge for the raring Alaska run during the third and fourth quarter putting off all their attempts for a huge rally.
Hugnatan started like a house on fire scoring 10 points in the first quarter shooting jumpers, hooks and layups as Vic Manuel failed to sustain his scoring as he scored Alaska’s first 6 points in the quarter, 29-23.
The second quarter was not kind to the Aces as their shooting woes went from bad to worse as the Aces only shot 12 points on the whole quarter almost as if the rim was closed shut while the Bolts played beautiful basketball as seven of their players scored in the quarter ending the first half, 49-35.
The wind changed when the third quarter opened as the Aces went on a whopping 17-3 run to tie the game at 52 a piece. The Bolts held on to their lead with the help of Meralco Bolt’s Head Coach Norman Black’s son, Aaron Black, shooting a 3-point that sparked their offense ending the quarter with Bolts still leading, 65-58.
The heat is turned on, on the fourth quarter as both teams tried to shoots the lights out as one team tried to hold and the other tried to grab the lead in the end game.
Jeron Teng shot 12 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as Vic Manuel contributes 8 of his 18 points in the fourth as only 3 players from the aces scored in the fourth Mike D. Gregorio being the other who shot only 1 point to cap off his 6 point outing.
The Bolts ended the match with a balanced offense and Baser Amer’s 8-point scoring spree to put away Alaska’s scoring duo which gave them a 28-23 advantage point advantage in the fourth winning the game, 93-81
Alaska will look to set things straight as they try to find their first win inside the bubble against the Magnolia Hotshots on October 17, Saturday while the Meralco Bolts looks to keep the spark cracking as they take on their Governor’s cup rivals Barangay Ginebra on Octorber 18, Sunday.
