Cortez tows Air21 to quarters

MANILA, Philippines - Mike Cortez punished his former team Air21 with a crucial binge in the third quarter, keying a decisive Meralco breakaway en route to a 100-91 victory and an outright passage into the quarterfinals of the PBA Governors Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

Cortez played big in his second game as a Bolt, churning out 17 points, six assists, two rebounds and one steal to help Meralco secure the third slot in the post-elims play of the season-ending tournament.

Meralco also enhanced its bid for a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals with a 5-3 win-loss slate while Air21 practically stood on the brink of elimination with a 2-6 card.

“That’s one important win as we were derailed the last time out,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“We’re having this reputation as a great defensive team but we have to combine that with offense. With Mike (Cortez) around, we’ve got a stable half-court game that could help our concern on the offensive end,” Gregorio also said.

Gregorio maximized his use of Cortez in this particular game against his former team, sacrificing the minutes of Chris Ross.

“There’s nothing wrong with Ross. That’s a decision that I thought would fast track Mike Cortez. I was surprised how he was able to adjust with us quickly,” said Gregorio.

The former La Salle star went 0-of-4 from the field, failing to score a basket in his Meralco debut versus Globalport Wednesday.

Cortez, Mario West and Cliff Hodge presided over Meralco’s stirring run in the third quarter that had the team seizing control, 77-66, en route to the victory that tied them with the San Mig Coffee Mixers at second place behind the Petron Blaze Boosters.

“At the end of our nine games in the elims, hopefully we can end up one of the Top Four,” said Gregorio whose troops shoot for a Top Four finish and the twice-to-beat incentive against the San Mig Coffee Mixers on Friday at the Big Dome.