Boosters rumble over Express, stay on top

Games tomorrow (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

5:15 p.m. – Meralco vs Talk n Text

7:30 p.m. – Barako Bull vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines - Petron Blaze overwhelmed Air21 with a relentless high-octane game, roaring to a third straight win with a 112-86 demolition of the Express in the PBA Governors Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.

Ripping apart defending champion Rain or Shine, 99-84, the last time out, the Boosters stepped up their game even more and fashioned out the most lopsided win in the tournament thus far, besting the E-Painters’ 94-74 rout of the Globalport Batang Pier on Aug. 17.

“I’m very happy about this win. It means we have a chance to make the upper bracket,” said Petron coach Gie Abanilla.

The format of the short season-ending conference calls for the 10 teams to play a single round elimination play. Eight teams advance to the quarterfinals with the top four enjoying a twice-to-beat advantage over their lower-ranked rivals.

Alaska Milk, starring bull-strong import Wendell McKines, overpowered Rain or Shine at the paint, carving out a 94-79 win later in the night.

“We have fresh legs and we took advantage of that,” said Alaska coach Luigi Trillo

While the Boosters surged ahead at 3-1, the Express fell to 1-3.

Elijah Millsap and the local Boosters played aggressively throughout, punishing the Express on both ends in chalking up a third consecutive victory after being upset by the Meralco Bolts on Aug. 16.

“We know a lot of us guys can score. First thing we want to establish is defense, be consistent and we’ll be alright,” said Millsap, who led Petron again with 27 points and 12 rebounds.

“We wanted to come out strong. We started a little flat but we picked it up in the third,” added Millsap, who highlighted his sterling game with a 9-of-12 field shooting.

“Millsap is a silent workhorse. He’s providing leadership and the locals are picking it up,” said Abanilla of their no-nonsense import.

Millsap stood at the forefront of Petron’s attack that had the Boosters leading by as many as 29 at 89-60.

After barely taking the opening quarter at 24-22, the Boosters shifted into higher gear and pulled away at 82-60 after the third period.

Millsap banged away a trey then executed a tomahawk jam on a fastbreak play as Petron posted its second of two 25-point spreads in the third quarter at 80-55.

Finding it so hard to keep up with their revved-up rivals, Air21 coach Franz Pumaren opted to just rest his import Zach Graham with a couple of minutes left to play.