Sunday punch gives Bolts miracle win

MANILA, Philippines - Sunday Salvacion, tapped to play for the first time in the tournament, made the most of the opportunity, delivering six three-pointers, including the Sunday punch, as Meralco carved out an amazing 90-89 come-from-behind victory over the stunned Globalport side in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Salvacion hit the last of his triples off the glass at the buzzer, and the Bolts erupted into a frenzied celebration as they completed an improbable comeback from eight points down in the last two minutes of play.

The Bolts thus checked a three-game skid, thanks to Salvacion, who had not seen action even for a single second in their first four games in the mid-season tourney.

As Salvacion’s make-or-break shot went in, the Bolts rushed to their spread-eagled hero, piling up on him at midcourt as the Batang Pier looked on in disbelief.

“Sunday hasn’t seen the floor, but that’s what veterans come to do. That’s a fantastic shot from Sunday,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio on Salvacion’s heroics that lifted the Bolts to their second win in five games.

“Sunday is part of our third group. If you’re there, you do nothing but be part of the scouting team. Nakagawa kami ng magandang bunot,” Gregorio also said. “That’s like a Hollywood script. We’re down big but somehow found a way to win.”

Salvacion, a 10-year league veteran, played 25 minutes and topscored for his team with 20 points on 6-of-7 three-pointers and 1-of-2 twinners.

The Bolts gained the opportunity to steal the game after rookie Jaypee Belencion missed his own three-pointer then Japeth Aguilar muffed a tip-in with 10 seconds to go.

Denzel Bowles, the monster import that he is, came back and San Mig Coffee finally scored its first win in the conference, whipping Talk n Text, 90-82, in the second game.

“He had three practices before his first game. But he’s not played since October. He’s in gym shape but not in game shape. But he’s too skilled not to be a great player. That’s gonna show up. Luckily, he showed up tonight,” said coach Tim Cone of Bowles who churned out 29 points and 23 rebounds, leading the Mixers to their first win after four losses.