Andrew Nicholson returned with a bang, but Hayden Blankley stole the show. PBA Images |
PASIG—Bay Area booked the first seat in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals after romping Rain Or Shine, 126-96, in their quarterfinal match on Friday at the PhilSports Arena.
Only needing one win to qualify, the top-seeded Dragons wasted no time in crushing the eighth-seeded Elasto Painters, quickly opening a 46-24 midway in the second quarter.
ROS tried to mount a comeback, chopping the lead down to nine, 49-40, with 1:57 left in the second, but an 11-2 Bay Area run later in the second put an end to ROS's upset bid.
Hayden Blankley led the Dragons, who will await the winner of the quarterfinal series between the Converge FiberXers and the San Miguel Beermen in the semis, with 47 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal.
Andrew Nicholson added 32 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in his first game back, while Glen Yang chipped in 13 points, six rebounds, 10 assists, and one steal.
Rey Nambatac put up 19 points, four rebounds, and one steal, while Andrei Caracut added 12 points, one rebound, 11 assists, and one steal for the E-Painters.
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