MANILA – Bay Area will move on to the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals after handing Rain Or Shine a blowout defeat, 126-96, in their quarterfinal game on Friday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The top-seeded Dragons quickly opened a lead as high as 22 points, 46-24, midway through the second quarter.
The Elasto Painters showed signs of life after cutting the lead down to nine, 49-40, but the Dragons finished the second strong to blow the game wide open for good.
Hayden Blankley led Bay Area with 47 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal. The team will await the winner of the quarterfinal series between Converge and San Miguel in the semis.
Andrew Nicholson added 32 points, eight rebounds, and two assists in his first game back, while Glen Yang chipped in 13 points, six rebounds, 10 assists and one steal.
The Beermen can set their semis date with the Dragons with a Game 2 win on Saturday night also at the PhilSports Arena.
Rey Nambatac put up 19 points, four rebounds and one steal while Andrei Caracut added 12 points, one rebound, 11 assists and one steal for ROS. (PNA)
