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.