Bolts strike Elasto Painters

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco’s core unit stepped up in the clutch, enabling the B-Boys to snap a three-game losing skein with an 87-79 victory of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Mark Cardona, Gabby Espinas, Chris Ross, Nelbert Omolon and Asi Taulava delivered when it mattered most as the B-Boys finally chalked up a follow-up win to their 73-72 squeaker over the Ginebra Kings on opening day.

Cardona, Espinas, Ross, Omolon and Taulava gave Meralco a strong finish, allowing the B-Boys to end a slump marked by losses to Barako Bull, Talk n Text and B-MEG Derby Ace.

“I thought we did a good job believing in ourselves. In our last three games, we lost as we allowed ourselves to just roll over and die,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. 

Moments later, Gregorio joined his former team Derby Ace in a brief ceremony where they were awarded championship rings for their title conquest in the all-Filipino tourney last year.

Cardona erupted for 27 points on 3-of-5 shooting from the three-point area, 5-of-11 from the two-point zone and 8-of-8 from the stripe as Meralco caught up with Rain or Shine at 2-3.

Cardona, the league’s scoring champion two years ago, had a hand in Meralco’s strong finish that saw the team break away from a 78-76 edge.

Espinas grabbed a crucial offensive rebound and scored on a crucial follow-up, touching off a decisive 6-0 blitz that gave Meralco an 84-76 advantage entering the final minute of the contest.

The former NCAA rookie-MVP winner imposed his strength in the paint, coming through with 18 points, five rebounds and two blocks. He also had three assists.

Ross proved to be a big factor at the backcourt, piling up 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

“I always felt Chris Ross is a gem. It’s a matter of time for him to really blossom in this league. What he showed tonight is a glimpse of what he can be. He’s the only (US NCAA) Division I player in my team and it’s because he’s got talent,” said Gregorio.

Barangay Ginebra got off to a swashbuckling start and led by as many as 30 points in a lopsided 93-82 win over B-MEG Derby Ace in the nightcap.

Losing nothing on the sharpness they showed in a 93-74 rout of Barako Bull Friday, the Kings scored another blowout win and moved up to solo fourth at 3-2.

Mercado, Norwood and Doug Kramer carried the fight for the Elasto Painters who dragged the B-Boys to a tight duel marked by eight deadlocks and 19 lead changes.

Mercado got a career-high seven steals and also made 17 points, five rebounds and three assists, Norwood added 15 points, four assists, three steals, two blocks and two rebounds while Kramer contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The Elasto Painters, however, gave the B-Boys an opening for a decisive run at the finish as Norwood missed two free throws while Mercado and Larry Rodriguez committed back-to-back errors.

Rain or Shine scored only three points in the last four minutes.