Davis finishes with double-double, powers Meralco vs Barako Bull

Game Saturday (Davao City)

5 p.m. – Purefoods vs Talk n Text

Games Sunday (Cuneta Astrodome)

3 p.m. – NLEX vs Globalport

5:15 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – Josh Davis, healed and recharged by their two-week break, pumped in 32 points and grabbed 19 rebounds in an explosive performance powering Meralco to a 98-85 a win over Barako Bull and back on the lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

Back to his old ways, Davis inspired his teammates as they checked a two-game skid and caught up with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters atop the leaderboard with their identical 6-2 win-loss slates.

“It’s nice to have Josh Davis back at 100 percent. He had a lot of activity. His energy and intensity did wonders for the team,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

“As I’ve been saying, Josh is a pretty good player. He’s not a good outside shooter but he brings a lot of energy on the table. And yes, we really wanted to get to where we were before Josh got hurt,” Black also said.

With Davis back in top shape, the Bolts were also back in top form, moving back in strong contention for the Top Two and twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

“We got a crucial win before playing two tough games versus Alaska and Purefoods next week. It’s a pretty good game going to that stretch,” said Black.

Meanwhile, Talk n Text tries to regain solo lead while Purefoods looks to muddle up the fight for the Top Two as they clash in the Petron Blaze Saturday Special at the USEP Gym in Davao City at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Reynel Hugnatan dished out a topnotch game coming from his All-Star Game participation while Gary David again put in another solid job coming off the bench as the Bolts handed the Energy a fifth loss against four wins.

Averaging just 5.0 points before this game, Hugnatan came through with a personal conference high of 21 points versus the Energy who dropped to joint eighth with the Kia Carnival after a fifth loss in their last six outings.

Curiously, Hugnatan also had an explosive game with a career-best 28 points as the Bolts walloped the Energy, 112-108, last conference.

David was a third Meralco player who hit double-figures last night, making 14 points on 5-of-10 field shooting and 3-of-4 free throws.

Barako was threatening at 81-86 when Huganatan and David fired back-to-back three-pointers, and the Bolts regained a commanding spread at 92-81 with less than two minutes left to play.

Davis, hit by a back injury on a nasty fall before the All-Star Weekend, delivered the dagger on a clutch basket in the next play.

With his quickness and versatility, Davis completely outclassed Barako Bull import Sol Alabi who struggled for only 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Before this game, the 7-0 Alabi averaged 23.62 markers and 21.0 boards.