Jai-namite detonates to help Meralco defeat KIA

Unleashing its full might in the second half, Meralco foiled upset-conscious Kia on Friday night courtesy of a 90-80 victory to seize the solo lead in the PBA Commissioners Cup at the Astrodome.

After a sluggish start that saw them score just 12 markers in the opening canto and trail by as many as 11 points, the Bolts picked up their rhythm late in the second frame then went full throttle in the final half behind import Josh Davis, veteran gunner Gary David and diminutive guard Jai Reyes to overcome the Carnival and another monstrous outing from towering reinforcement Peter John Ramos.

More importantly, Meralco gained a fitting follow-up to its confidence-building 85-75 victory against crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra last Tuesday to claim the top spot in the 12-team field.

The 7-foot-3 Ramos, a Puerto Rican giant, dominated anew with game-highs of 34 points and 21 rebounds but Kia still absorbed its second straight setback following an 89-100 setback against GlobalPort last Tuesday.

David sustained his offensive brilliance with a team-high of 25 markers while Davis had another double-double outing of 19 points and 19 rebounds but it was the 5-foot-7 Reyes who provided the needed spark for the Bolts, who missed the services of starting guard Mike Cortez and wingman Jared Dillinger.

Reyes, who was activated against the Kings, rose to the occasion with a career-best of 16 points, highlighted by three triples, on top of four assists, as many rebounds and a steal in more than 33 efficient minutes of play.

The former Ateneo guard also conspired with Davis and David in an electrifying performance in the third canto where the Bolts wiped out a two-point halftime deficit and even built their biggest lead at 62-48.

However, Ramos and the Carnival refused to easily go down without a fight, threatening anew at 68-69 midway in the payoff period.

But the Bolts uncorked another strong run, with David hitting a clutch triple that sparked a decisive 11-3 run that kept the Carnival at bay and gave them the control anew with 3:17 left to play.
While Meralco dominated the second half, it wasn’t clearly the case in the first 24 minutes.
Utilizing the 7-foot-3 Ramos to the hilt offensively while working behind a tough collective stance, the Carnival gave the Bolts a perfect dose of their own medicine and took control in the early goings, even leading by as many as 11 twice, the last at 33-22 late in the second frame.
Meralco, however, finally found its offensive rhythm behind diminutive guard Jai Reyes and the veteran David, who combined for three triples in their strong 11-5 counterattack that trimmed Kia’s lead to just two points at the break.

The Main Man: With starting guard Mike Cortez out with a knee injury, Jai Reyes made the most of his extended playing minutes by scattering a career-best 16 points, including three triples, aside from four assists, as many rebounds and a steal.

Honorable Mentions: Gary David had another brilliant offensive performance of 25 points while import Josh Davis pumped in his second straight double-double performance of 19 points and as many rebounds.

Game Turning Point: After PJ Ramos pulled Kia within one off a putback midway in the fourth canto, Meralco charged back by scoring 11 of the next 14 points to stretch its lead back to nine at 80-71 with a little over three minutes left.

Stat of the Game: The Bolts’ bench, led by Jai Reyes, stepped up big time by scoring 57 points, 25 more than their Carnival counterparts combined.

Next Games:
Meralco versus Talk ’N Text on Feb. 4 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum
KIA versus San Miguel Beer on Feb. 4 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum

He Said It:
Meralco coach Norman Black: We did a good job at halftime to instill more energy in our defense. I am very happy for Cliff Hodge whose energy put us on top. Gary David who's very consistent. Jai Reyes who got activated yesterday and he played a big role for orchestrating the offense I thought Jai (Reyes) did a good job of stepping up in the absence of Mike Cortez.

The scores:

MERALCO 90 - David 25, Davis 19, Reyes 16, Anthony 6, Ildefonso 6, Hugnatan 6, Hodge 4, Wilson 4, Ferriols 4.

KIA 80  - Ramos 34, Buensuceso 11, Poligrates 6, Webb 6, Cawaling 5, Yee 5, Pascual 4, Ighalo 4, Revilla 3, Burtscher 2.

Quarter scores: 12-18, 36-38, 62-56, 90-80