Bolts absorb second straight loss in Japan

MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts beefed up by some of the Gilas cadet player lost for the second straight game to Japan men’s national team, 76-83, Saturday night in the three-game exhibition series presented by Pocari Sweat in Sendai, Japan.

For the second straight game, Meralco-Gilas started flat falling to an early 14-point hole, 9-23, in the opening quarter.  

But unlike in their one-sided 67-86 loss in the series opener, Meralco-Gilas showed improvements and gave the Japanese a good fight.  

Just when the Japanese thought it’s going to be another walk-in-the-park, the Bolts came alive in the second period limiting the home team to just nine points.

Drawing energy from their import prospect Chris Blake and the local tandem of Mac Cardona and Reynel Hugnatan, the Bolts closed the gap, 25-32, at the half.

With Blake and Cardona still waxing hot, the Japanese turned to the pair of 6-1 swingman Naoto Tsuji and their big man Kosuke Takeuchi to fend off the Bolts’ rally.

Tsuji dropped eight of his 14 points in the third canto to push Japan’s lead, 67-58, entering the fourth. It was Takeuchi’s turn in the payoff period battling Blake toe-to-toe down the stretch.

The 28-year old 6-9 banger came away with 24 points to go with 14 rebounds to pick up the slack from their 18-year old center Atsuya Ota, who was a non-factor in this game after exploding for 19 points and 11 boards in Game One.

The Bolts, who were missing key players such as Cliff Hodge and Chris Ross, were led by Blake with 27 points including a break-away jam. Cardona added 18 while Hugnatan finished with 13 markers and 13 boards.

The third and final game of the series was to be played Sunday night in Tokyo, Japan.

Proceeds of the friendlies will be donated to the still ongoing rehabilitation of Japan after the 2011 Tsunami attack.