Bolts down import-less Elite
The Meralco Bolts went above the .500 mark again, getting past an import-less but fighting Blackwater side, 105-90, in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.
The Bolts opened double-digit spreads right in the opening quarter and were hardly threatened the rest of the way with their huge matchup advantage with the Elite playing sans import Eric Dawson.
Allen Durham exerted just enough effort, collecting 30 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists to lead the Bolts to a fourth win against three losses.
Jared Dillinger, Bryan Faundo and Cliff Hodge also provided boost as Meralco sprang back from its 123-126 loss in a double-overtime battle with Globalport Sunday.
Meralco moved back to fifth place at 4-3, just half-game behind joint third placers Mahindra (4-2) and Barangay Ginebra (4-2).
“My experience over the years made me worry about this game mainly because I’ve been into a lot of games against a team missing an import and they play very, very well. Credit to Blackwater, they came out and played hard,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
“But a win is a win. It’s a big win allowing us to stay at least in touch with the leaders with a chance to be twice-to-beat later on,” Black also said.
Opting to rest Dawson with his sore back, the Elite went down with a fourth straight loss and their fifth in six games in all.
They have to do good in their last five games against Mahindra, Alaska Milk, Phoenix Petroleum, Globalport and San Miguel Beer if they were to land a berth in the playoff round.
Minus Dawson, the Elite put up a decent stand.
Art dela Cruz and Carlo Lastimosa scored 23 and 16 points, respectively, to pace the Elite that also drew solid efforts from Rein Cervantes, Bam Gamalinda and Kyle Pascual.
Free agent acquisition Denok Miranda played 6:21 minutes and churned out five points and two rebounds in his first game as an Elite.
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