Gee is terrific but Dyip prevail

MANILA, Philippines — Columbian Dyip foiled what Phoenix Pulse envisioned as a winning debut for fancied import Alonzo Gee, eking out a 106-104 victory to give their quarterfinals bid in the PBA Governors’ Cup a big boost last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Determined not to repeat their fourth-quarter meltdown in a 107-113 loss to San Miguel, the Dyip put up a strong finishing kick anchored on Rashawn McCarthy and Khapri Alston to get the job done in this grindout game.

As they put to waste the 45-point explosion of former NBA player Gee and sent the Fuel Masters slipping to 2-6, the Dyip put themselves into good position in the quarters chase as they vaulted to solo No. 6 with their 4-4 card.

Ranged against Gee, Alston dished out an all-around outing of 30 markers, 19 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks to lead the Dyip to the crucial victory.

Manny Harris fuelled a searing second-half outburst as NLEX toppled erstwhile unbeaten TNT KaTropa, 126-113, for a 6-1 card and a sure ticket to the Last-8.  The KaTropa fell to 7-1, half a game ahead of their prey.

Harris dropped 28 of his 40 markers in the final 24 minutes as the Road Warriors shifted to high gear and zoomed past the KaTropa after trailing by as many as 10 in the first half. It was not all scoring for Harris, though, as he also issued nine asists, had seven steals and grabbed six rebounds while slowing down TNT’s KJ McDaniels in winning time. 

“Great effort by the guys. TNT is such a strong team and there’s a reason they were unbeaten up to this point. So we made sure we were ready for them” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, who also got big numbers from Kiefer Ravena (16 markers and 13 assists), Jericho Cruz (15) and JP Erram (14).

Notes: After adding an extra pick in the proposed trade, Meralco Bolts officially acquired veteran Allein Maliksi and young big man Raymar Jose from the Blackwater Elite. Under the revised deal approved by the PBA yesterday, the Bolts released Mike Tolomia and KG Canaleta, along with their second round picks for 2020 and 2022, to the Elite.

The scores: 

First Game

Columbian 106 – Alston 30, Perez 25, Corpuz 18, McCarthy 16, Cahilig 7, Tiongson 4, Calvo 4, Khobuntin 2, Agovida 0, Camson 0, Celda 0, Faundo 0.

Phoenix 104 – Gee 45, Perkins 20, Mallari 11, Gamboa 8, Marcelo 6, Jazul 6, Napoles 3, Chua 2, Kramer 2, Garcia 1, Potts 0, 

Quarterscores: 28-20, 54-42, 74-76, 106-104

Second Game

NLEX 126 - Harris 40, Ravena 16, Cruz 15, Erram 14, Quinahan 10, Paniamogan 8, Soyud 8, Miranda 6, Galanza 5, Fonacier 3, Ighalo 1.

TNT 113 - McDaniels 42, Pogoy 35, Rosario 11, Trollano 10, Digregorio 6, Reyes 4, Taha 3, Vosotros 2, Castro 0, Washington 0, De Leon 0.

Quarterscores: 24-26, 51-53, 90-80, 126-113