Petron, Ginebra try fightback after loss

MANILA, Philippines - B-Meg finished with a flurry, negating Zach Graham’s tournament-best 39-point explosion as the Commissioner’s Cup ruler ripped Air21, 91-78, to tie idle Rain or Shine in the lead in the PBA Governors Cup at the Davao del Sur Coliseum in Digos last night.

Marqus Blakely produced only 21 points but drew more than enough support from his local teammates as they notched a fourth straight win after a losing conference debut versus the Elasto Painters.

Blakely and his teammates slowly pulled away in the second half, taking an 11-point margin, 71-60, at the end of the third and leading by as many as 18 at 89-71 with under two minutes left to play.

The Llamados caught up with the Elasto Painters at 4-1, a full game in front of joint third placers Petron Blaze and Powerade at 3-2.

The Boosters and the Barangay Ginebra Kings both try to recover from a loss the last time out as they fight to keep their spots in the Top Six at the resumption of action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

Meralco and Alaska Milk clash in the day’s other setto, both hoping to pick up their game and start a rally from the bottom of the standings.

In an effort to arrest their sagging bid, the Bolts are introducing new import Mario West in lieu of Champ Oguchi.

“It was a struggle for us. It took us a while to get going,” said B-Meg coach Tim Cone as they prevailed over Air21 in the Digos game serving as the second leg of the PBA Phoenix Fuel on Tour series.

“Graham is a great import. At halftime, I told the guys we’ve got to weigh him down. Maybe in the third or fourth quarter, he’ll get tired, and he did,” Cone also said.

Graham scattered 22 points, including 7-of-7 free throws, as Air21 took the half at 47-44.

Down by six, 19-25, after the first period, the Express started strong in the second canto, racing ahead at 35-30.

Wynne Arboleda, Air21’s new acquisition from Barako Bull, helped fuel their second-quarter surge with back-to-back triples.

Graham and the Express, however, ran out of steam and ammunition, tumbling down the cellar in the company of Alaska Milk, Meralco and Talk n Text at 1-3.

The Llamados, meanwhile, finished strong, putting to naught Graham’s fourth straight 30-point outing.

He debuted with 31 points against Ginebra then sizzled with 38 against Talk n Text and 37 versus Rain or Shine.