The Mahindra Floodbusters posted their first win streak of the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup after downing the slumping Meralco Bolts, 105-92, Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Mahindra’s second consecutive win improved their card to 2-5. Meralco, on the other hand, suffered their fifth straight loss, dropping their slate to 2-6 in the team standings.
Philip Paniamogan served as Mahindra’s lynchpin on offense as he led the the Floodbuster with 25 points on an excellent 9-of-10 from the floor, with 7 of 8 of it coming from beyond the arc.
Alex Mallari, despite shooting just 6-of-13, managed to contribute greatly with a double-double of 13 markers and 11 assists. Forward Jason Deutchman and Nico Salva also produced 13 each.
“Coming into this game, we were adapting a high uptempo game. We kept on looking for easy baskets,” said Mahindra head coach Chris Gavina post-game.
Mahindra’s up-tempo game paid off well, as the team converted 40 of their 78 attempts from the field, making 21 threes to blister Meralco.
From a slim 63-59 lead in the 5:20 mark of the third period, Mahindra regained their rhythm on offense, outscoring Meralco 23-10 behind Mallari, Nico Salva and Russel Escoto to establish a wide 17-point lead, 86-69, with 8:33 in the final frame.
The Bolts managed to surge back with an 8-0 run capped by a Reynel Hugnatan lay-up to narrow the gap to seven, 86-79, but the Floodbusters answered eight straight markers of their own behind Paniamogan, Salva, and Mallari, to expand the cushion once more, 94-79, with 3:43 to go.
Tonight’s victory, according to Gavina, is dedicated to his mentor Joe Lipa, whose wife just came out of the hospital due to cancer.
“I want to dedicate this game to Coach Joe [Lipa] and his wife, who just got out of the hospital,” said Gavina.
The Bolts were led by Reynel Hugnatan with his 28 points on 12 of 21 from the floor. He also had six boards and three assists. Chris Newsome backed him up with a near double-double of 19 markers and eight assists. Baser Amer had 12 in the loss.
The Floodbuster out-rebounded the Bolts 47-40, but lost in the assists department by five dimes, 26-21. Mahindra also committed more fouls, 23-20, and more turnovers, 22-13.
Mahindra will try to extend their streak to three as they face TNT next Wednesday, January 18, 4:15 PM at the Cuneta Astrodome. Meralco, meanwhile, will look to end their skid as they battle the Barangay Ginebra this Saturday, January 14, 5 PM at Iloilo City.
The Scores:
Mahindra (105) – Paniamogan 25, Mallari 13, Deutchman 13, Salva 13, Digregorio 11, Escoto 10, Yee 8, Elorde 4, Ballesteros 3, Arana 3, Revilla 2, Celda 0, Nimes 0, Eriobu 0, Teng 0.
Meralco (92) – Hugnatan 28, Newsome 19, Amer 12, Faundo 9, Uyloan 8, Daquioag 6, Grey 3, Caram 2, Chua 2, Nabong 2, Hodge 1, Buenafe 0.
Quarterscores: 25-24, 52-42, 74-63, 102-95.
