B-MEG DERBY ACE STILL ON FIRE!

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  Canaleta finally showed the form expected of him in the game he needed to step up in.

Canaleta scored 17 points, including a clutch go-ahead triple in the stretch, in helping power
B-MEG Derby Ace to an 84-79 win over Alaska Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta
Coliseum.

James Yap and PJ Simon each scattered 19 points, but it was Canaleta scoring the grand total he has
had in the nine previous games he has played that spelled the big difference for the Llamados
notching their fifth straight triumph and improving to a fourth-running 6-5 win-loss record.

“Like I’ve told you, he’s been practicing really well. Kaya lang pagdating sa game na-a-out
of synch siya,” said coach Jorge Gallent of the slam-dunking champion who had played far from the
form that made him last season’s “Mr. Quality Minutes”awardee.

“Me kasabihan tayo na how you practice will be how you play and this is how he practices. Finally
he proved himself today.”

Gallent also bared he has not spoken at all to Canaleta since a 95-93 win over Air21 last Nov. 10.
“Silent treatment, and it worked,” said the tactician with a smile.

And how. Aside from hauling down six rebounds, Canaleta also helped stifle Alaska leading scorer
Joe Devance to just 11 points, nine below his average, on a 3-of-19 shooting.

Devance had seven points in the fourth period, but missed a potential game-tying frontal short stab
inside the last 30 seconds.

Jonas Villanueva and Yap then provided the icing with charities while the Aces’ desperation
heaves from beyond the arc failed to find their mark.

The loss dropped Alaska to 5-6 and solo sixth.

LA Tenorio had 15 points and six assists to lead the Aces, with Tony dela Cruz adding 13 points,
including six in the fourth that helped fuel their comeback from as much as a 59-70 deficit.

Tenorio’s sneaky drive capped a 6-0 surge that gave Alaska a 79-78 edge, but that proved
short-lived when Canaleta drained his booming straightaway triple, with only 49 seconds left.

Canaleta scored 10 of his points in the third period and joined hands with Simon and Yap in yanking
Derby Ace out of a 36-37 halftime bind. His third triple of the game highlighted a 14-7 exchange
that gave the Llamados their first 11-point lead at 68-57, 43 ticks left in the quarter (NC).

The scores:

B-Meg Derby Ace 84 - Yap J. 19, Simon 19, Canaleta 17, Yap R. 9, Allado 6, Maierhofer 4, Villanueva
4, Adducul 4, Salvador 2, Gaco 0, Pingris 0.

Alaska 79 - Tenorio 15, Dela Cruz 13, De Vance 11, Eman 10, Thoss 9, Custodio 7, Baguio 7, Hugnatan
5, Borboran 2.

Quarters: 22-20, 36-37, 70-59, 84-79