Meralco defeats San Mig Coffee, Faces Alaska

The Meralco Bolts took care of business Sunday, defeating the San Mig Coffee Mixer 87-77 at the SM Mall of Asia Coliseum to set up a quarterfinals showdown against the Alaska Aces.

With the Mixers already safely ensconced in the quarterfinals — San Mig Coffee coach Tim Cone opted to rest hurting superstar James Yap — it was the Bolts who dominated the game for their eighth win in 14 contests.


Veteran forward Reynel Hugnatan led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds for Meralco, which finished with the eliminations with the same record as the Aces. The two teams will start their best-of-three playoff encounter on Wednesday.

Meralco’s victory means Rain or Shine will face Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the quarterfinals in another best-of-three series.

Both of those pairings will kick off Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

San Mig Coffee, meanwhile, will have twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals against Petron in the series that begins Thursday, also at the Big Dome.

alaska aces , meralco bolts , san mig coffee mixers

Ginebra and Meralco to determine playoff seedings

Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Meralco take on separate opponents to determine their respective playoff seedings in the final playdate of the Philippine Cup elimination round Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bolts take on the San Mig Coffee Mixers in the opener at 4 p.m. before the Gin Kings battle the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters in the nightcap at 6:30 p.m.

Meralco and Ginebra are tied at fifth and sixth places, and their quarterfinal opponents will depend on the results of Sunday’s games.

Because Meralco won its lone match with Ginebra this conference, a win by the Bolts or a loss by the Gin Kings will result in a playoff pairing between Meralco and Alaska as well as Rain or Shine and Ginebra. Each of those matchups will be a best-of-three series.


A win by Ginebra and a loss by Meralco would allow the Gin Kings to leapfrog the Bolts. That would set up a quarterfinal clash between Rain or Shine and Meralco as well as Alaska and Ginebra.

The games don’t hold any meaning for Talk ‘N Text and San Mig Coffee, which are assured of finishing first and second after the eliminations, respectively. The two teams are locked in against their playoff opponents, with each squad enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage.

The Tropang Texters will be taking on eighth seed Air 21, while the Mixers will face No. 7 Petron Blaze in the quarterfinals.

barangay ginebra gin kings , meralco bolts , san mig coffee mixers , talk 'n text tropang texters

Ginebra hopes to extend its winning streak; Meralco eyes a bounce-back game against Barako Bull

Meralco eyes a bounce-back game while Barangay Ginebra San Miguel hopes to extend its winning streak to five as they battle separate foes in the crucial double-header of the 2013 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts face Barako Bull in the opener at 4:15 p.m. while the Kings entangle with Air 21 in the main tiff at 6:30 p.m.

Ginebra and Meralco are tied in the standings at 6-6 and they try to stay in the hunt for a top four finish after the elimination phase.

Their opponents are in a must-situation with the Express clinging on the No. 8 spot with 4-8 mark while the Energy Cola are a shade behind with 3-8.


“The game tomorrow is very important for us. ‘Yung mindset kailangan pang-playoff kasi sila rin ganoon,” said Kings mentor Siot Tanquingcen.

“Maganda rin nilalaro ng Air21. Breaks of the game lang sa end game kaya natatalo. Dapat focus kami sa execution ng offense at defense,” he added.




Express coach Franz Pumaren knows Ginebra is on a roll and they need to bring their best game to stand a chance.

“Crucial game for us. We are playing a team on a winning streak. We need everybody to contribute, stay focus and stick to our game plan because the crowd will be a big factor,” said Pumaren.

The Air 21-Ginebra encounter marks the first time Mike Cortez will be facing his former team since he was traded to the Express for big man Yousef Taha.

In the opener, the Bolts try to bounce back from an 88-85 defeat at the hands of Alaska with a victory over the Energy Cola of coach Bong Ramos.

“We didn’t close out a close game the way we wanted to against Alaska. Another situation must be corrected. We will persevere. We want to bounce back strong after a tough loss,” said Meralco mentor Ryan Gregorio.
-InterAKTV

air 21 express , barako bull , barangay ginebra san miguel , meralco bolts