By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--Purefoods started the PBA Commissioner's Cup with a four-game winning streak.
The club finished the elimination round with another four-game winning run.
The Hotshots got a big boost entering the quarterfinals with a 96-85 victory over the Meraclo Bolts Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Purefoods led from the start but only pulled away in the fourth quarter as it held off a late Meralco run to finish the elimination round with an 8-3 record.
Denzel Bowles had a game-high 37 points for the Hotshots, who are once again solo provisional leaders in the team standings.
Josh Davis led the Bolts with 31 markers, while Gary David added 27.
Box Scores:
Purefoods 96-Bowles 37, Simon 15, Yap 15, Mallari 7, Barroca 7, Maliksi 5, Reavis 4, Pingris 4, Devance 2, Taha 0, Melton 0
Meralco 85-Davis 31, David 27, Dillinger 10, Anthony 7, Cortez 4, Hugnatan 4, Macapagal 2, Reyes 0, Wilson 0, Ildefonso 0, Caram 0, Ferriols 0
Quarterscores: 29-21, 50-45, 78-67, 96-85
.jpg)
