MERALCO ON TOP
Meralco rode the momentum of back-to-back wins over Barangay Ginebra and Kia as the Bolts pulled a first one versus the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in over a year and gained the early solo lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The Bolts continued to play a well-balanced game with their bench pummeling their TnT counterparts, 41-21, and keying their 91-83 win over the Texters.
With its first win over Talk n Text since a 92-86 decision in their 2013 Governors’ Cup elims showdown, Meralco recorded a first-ever 3-0 start in a conference since taking over the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise in 2010.
“Things are not going to get easier for us from here. But 3-0 is definitely a good start considering it’s a short tournament,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
“I like to praise my players for executing our defensive game plan. It’s difficult to defend Talk n Text because they have a lot of weapons,” Black also said after they stopped the Texters’ own two-game romp.
Talk n Text moved down to fourth place behind Meralco (3-0), Barako Bull (2-0) and Purefoods (2-0) after its first loss following two straight wins over Rain or Shine and Blackwater.
Gary David again played well coming off the bench, firing away 17 points to pace the Bolts that also drew double-digit outputs from John Wilson, Mike Cortez and Cliff Hodge.
Meralco import Josh Davis was held down to eight points with a measly 1-of-10 field shooting, but he came up with 17 rebounds and three steals in a testimony to his tough effort on the defensive end.
Cortez and Jared Dillinger had their share coming from injury as the Bolts outfought the Texters in a defensive battle.
The Bolts set the pace almost throughout and pulled through as they held the Texters to two points in the last five minutes of the game.
David rifled in a trey and then Cortez scored on a short jumper as the Bolts seized control from a precarious 82-81 lead.
“It’s good to have Mike and JD back,” said Black of the duo that combined for 16 markers and six boards.
The Bolts enjoyed an 11-point lead at 34-23 and were still very much in control at 77-69 before the Texters worked on a run to make it a close game, entering the last five minutes of the game.
But the Bolts won’t be denied. (SB)
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