MERALCO ESCAPES BLACKWATER FOR BEST ALL-FILIPINO START

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Meralco Bolts shooter John Wilson shot the lights out on Blackwater in overtime where he scored all of his nine points, including two three-pointers as the Bolts turned back the Elite, 83-75, Tuesday night to grab a share of leadership in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

It was the second overtime decision in as many games for the Bolts, who edged Barako Bull in double OT 112-108 last Oct. 22 and this one created a three-way tie on top among Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, San Miguel Beer and Meralco.

Alaska could make it a four-way jam with a win over Talk ‘N Text in Tuesday’s second game.

Norman Black, the Bolts coach, said he didn’t mind so much going the extra distance as long as they come out winners.

“That’s what important although I don’t actually like overtimes,” said Black, who took over the Bolts in the off-season after handling Talk ‘N Text for two seasons.

Wilson, the former Jose Rizal University hotshot, could grow to like them however.

Noted for his unique shooting form where the ball is launched from cocked arms behind his head, Wilson missed his first triples in regulation but found his mark when the embattled Bolts needed them most.

Cliff Hodge posted career highs of 26 points and 18 rebounds while shooting 11 of 20 from the floor and while Rey Guevarra added 10 points for Meralco which recorded the first-ever 2-0 start in a season and in the Philippine Cup in franchise history.

But it was Wilson’s shooting that lit up the way when darkness was falling on the Bolts, who blew a 67-55 fourth quarter lead.

With Alex Nuyles turning hot, hitting 10 of his 14 points in the last 12 minutes, and Paul Artadi adding four, the Elite, still in search for their first win after dropping their first two games, charged back to tie the game on a top-of-the-key 3-pointer from Riego Gamalinda, 14.8 seconds to go.

Meralco called time and a driving Gary David drew three defenders on him before dishing off to Reynel Hugnatan, whose one-pump, point-blank shot rolled out. Elite center Jason Ballesteros grabbed the rebound before Sean Anthony then tied up Ballesteros and Meralco, behind Wilson, decisively took care of business, 13-5, in the extra five minutes.

Wilson’s first triple made it 73-72 with 3:40 to go in overtime and his second made it 78-72.

Blackwater fell to its third straight loss in its maiden conference in the pros. (WJRHT)

The scores:

MERALCO 83 – Hodge 26, Guevarra 10, Wilson 9, Anthony 9, David 7, Ildefonso 6, Ferriols 6, Atkins 4, Cortez 2, Dillinger 2, Hugnatan 2, Morrison 0, Buenafe 0, Sena 0, Macapagal 0.

BLACKWATER 75 – Nuyles 14, Menor 14, Faundo 10, Gamalinda 10, Artadi 6, Laure 6, Timberlake 5, Erram 4, Tiongson 2, Rodriguez 2, Ballesteros 2, Cawaling 0, Austria 0.

Quarterscores: 26-20, 44-32, 61-47, 70-70, 83-75

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