Jay R. Gotera Saudi Gazette MANILA — Defending champion Purefoods Star Hotshots vaulted to solo leadership of the conference with a 96-85 victory over the Meralco Bolts Friday night in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Purefoods finished the elimination round with an 8-3 win-loss mark. The Hotshots are now hoping for a loss by either Talk N Text or Rain or Shine in the two teams' last elimination round assignment to ensure a top-two finish that carries a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. With the loss, the Meralco Bolts tied Rain or Shine and Talk N Text for second to fourth spot with a 7-3 card. Meralco can still gain a top-two finish if both ROS and TNT lose their final elimination round games and for the Bolts to win their last assignment against Blackwater Wednesday next week. Denzel Bowles played another monster game for Purefoods, posting 37 points and 21 rebounds. PJ Simon and James Yap added 15 points apiece. Josh Davis led Meralco with 31 points and 12 rebounds. Gary David rebounded from a sub-par performance in Meralco's last game against Alaska, finishing with 22 points off the bench. Jared Dillinger added 15 points, and eight rebounds. Rain or Shine 102, Blackwater 98 The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters stayed in the hunt for a top-two finish, dismissing the challenge of the tail-ender Blackwater Elite, 102-98. With a 7-3 win-loss card, Rain or Shine now finds itself in a three-way tie for second to fourth spot in the standings, together with Talk N Text and Meralco, following Purefoods' victory over the Meralco Bolts in the nightcap. The Painters wrap up their elimination round campaign Sunday when they go up against the Kia Carnival. The Elite fought nearly on even terms with the Painters in the first three quarters. But Rain or Shine finally broke free and appeared on the way to blowing up Blackwater in the fourth quarter as Wayne Chism, Gabe Norwood and Beau Belga sparked a 14-2 blitz that turned a three-point ROS lead into a 70-55 advantage. The Painters appeared to be coasting to victory when the Elite made a last-gasp counterattack, trimming the deficit to just four points, 102-98, in the endgame. But they ran out of time as they fell deeper into the bottom of the standings with a 2-8 card. Chism led the Painters with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Paul Lee added 14 points while Beau Belga and Chris Tiu chipped in with 11 and 10 markers, respectively. Marcus Douthit led Blackwater with a near triple-double of 34 points, 20 rebounds and eight assists. Val Acuna added 20 markers while rookie Brian Heruela tossed in 15 points. Game Saturday: Barangay Ginebra Kings vs. GlobalPort Batang Pier.
