Cardona late burst lifts B-Boys vs Tigers

MANILA, Philippines – Mac Cardona, fast becoming one of the league’s best game closers, did just that last night, scoring Meralco’s last four points as the Bolts repulsed the Powerade side, 88-85, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Cardona fumbled but recovered then scored on a sneaky lay-up to shatter an 84-all count with 30 seconds remaining then calmly canned two free throws after Marc Macapagal made a split on the other end to seal the victory for the Bolts.

“I always felt they’re on the same level, I mean the four guys that you can put in the category of the league’s best game closers, Willie Miller, Sol Mercado, James Yap and Mac Mac Cardona,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

It was the third game that Cardona bailed the Bolts this conference. He scored the game-winner in a 73-72 victory over crowd favorite Brgy. Ginebra on opening day last Oct. 3 then uncorked a seven-point binge in the stretch to power the team to an 83-71 victory over Alaska Milk last Oct. 24.

The win boosted Meralco’s quarterfinal bid as the Bolts posted their third straight victory and fifth overall against the same number of losses.

In the nightcap, B-Meg Derby Ace rolled to its fifth straight win as it held off Alaska, 84-79, to seize solo fourth with a 6-5 slate.

James Yap and PJ Simon combined for 38 points while Nino Canaleta hit 17 points, including a clutch triple, to help power the Llamados to victory.

The Aces dropped to sixth spot with a 5-6 card.

Cardona wound up with 24 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, while Gabby Espinas powered his way to 21 points on an impressive eight-of-14 clip.

Chris Ross backed up Cardona and Espinas with a solid game of 12 rebounds and 10 assists, barely missing a triple-double performance with six points.

“We all know Mac Mac can’t just do it alone, that is the law of teamwork,” said Gregorio. “But when Mac Mac struggled, Espinas had considerable success in the first three quarters and Ross showed he deserves to stay in this league.

“But when the game is on the line, we have to call on our superman and he (Cardona) delivers,” he added.

The Tigers actually had the chance to force overtime but Macapagal, who finished with 18 points, was shackled by the tough Meralco defense.

Gary David, Powerade’s leading scorer, also failed to free himself for a good look at the basket, so did Will Antonio, who earlier hit a triple that tied the count at 82, as time expired.