By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--From finding themselves at a shot for first place early into the PBA Commissioner's Cup, the Barako Bull Energy could now be on the verge of an early elimination.
The Energy dropped their fifth loss in the last six games after conceding to the Meralco Bolts, 85-98, in a Friday night tiff at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In the process, the Bolts, who also blitzed to first place early on, forced a provisional tie with sister club Talk 'n Text Tropang Texters at the top. The Tropang Texter have a game at hand Saturday night against the Purefoods Star Hotshots.
Josh Davis played his best game after suffering an injury before the All-Star break after tallying 31 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal for Meralco, which began pulling away late in the first quarter but withstood a Barako Bull run in the fourth.
The Bolts raced to a double-digit spread early on, but the Energy fought back and came to within five, 79-84, with three minutes left in the game.
Meralco regained control of the match and rebuilt the huge lead in the end.
Fresh from an All-Star Game appearance on Sunday, Reynel Hugnatan showed that he deserved the spot by tallying 21 points to backstop Davis in scoring.
Sol Alabi had a quiet 14 points, all coming in the second half, along with 12 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks for Barako Bull, which fell to a tie with Kia in eighth place.
Box Scores:
Meralco 98-Davis 32, Hugnatan 21, David 14, Hodge 8, Wilson 7, Cortez 4, Dillinger 4, Ferriols 4, Caram 2, Ildefonso 2, Anthony 0, Reyes 0, Macapagal 0
Barako Bull 85-Alabi 14, Lanete 13, Hubalde 13, Salva 10, Lastimosa 7, Garcia 6, Pascual 6, Marcelo 4, Matias 2, Salvador 0, Paredes 0
Quarterscores: 24-20, 49-38, 70-61, 98-85
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