Columbian Dyip back on the road, trip Meralco Bolts

MANILA, Philippines — Columbian Dyip reset, refocused and regrouped after losing its last three games, and bounced back with an 86-85 nail-biter over Meralco in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Rashawn McCarthy made a big turnaround from a miserable two-point game in their last outing, exploding for a career-high 30 points as the Dyip humbled the Bolts and got back to the Top Eight with a 3-4 win-loss slate.

Glenn Khobuntin and Eric Camson contributed double-digit outputs for the Dyip who played well coming from a long three-week respite, handing the Bolts a fourth loss against two wins.

“During the league break, I gave my team a four-day rest, and I told the players to forget about basketball. Medyo nasunog kasi because of our successive games,” said Columbian coach Johnedel Cardel.

Phoenix Pulse put one foot into the quarterfinals as the Fuel Masters squeezed out a 98-96 win over a crippled but fierce-fighting NorthPort team later in the night.

The scores: 

First Game

Columbian 86 – McCarthy 30, Khobuntin 14, Camson 10, Perez 8, Cahilig 6, Corpuz 6, Escoto 4, Celda 3, Faundo 3, Calvo 2, Agovida 0.

Meralco 85 – Newsome 17, Hodge 14, De Ocampo 14, Amer 10, Salva 8, Quinto 7, Pinto 5, Canaleta 5, Tolomia 3, Hugnatan 2, Faundo 0, Jackson 0.

Quarterscores: 11-24, 42-45, 66-66, 86-85

Second Game

Phoenix 98 – Wright 22, Chua 19, Abueva 14, Perkins 12, Jazul 10, Revilla 9, Mallari 7, Kramer 2, Dennison 2, Marcelo 1, Guevarra 0, Napoles 0, Mendoza 0.

NorthPort 96 – Tautuaa 22, Anthony 20, Elorde 15, Bolick 10, Taha 10, Guinto 8, Araña 6, Grey 3, Lanete 2, Flores 0, Sollano 0.

Quarterscores: 20-13, 41-38, 67-63, 98-96