Meralco comes back from 22-point deficit to beat Barako Bull

Meralco achieved what it failed to do last conference: Make it to the quarterfinal round.

Coming through with another spirited fightback, the Bolts overcame an early 22-point deficit and a fast-starting Barako Bull Energy crew Friday night 105-98 to clinch a playoff berth in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

After a sluggish start that saw them fall in a maze of turnovers and stare at a deficit as big as 22-44, the Bolts got their acts together late in the second canto then unleashed their full might in the pivotal half to complete another remarkable come-from-behind victory at the expense of the fading Energy.

Import Darnell Jackson tallied a team-high 30 points, 17 of them coming in the second half, and got the needed support from locals Jared Dillinger, Gary David, Reynel Hugnatan and reserve guard Chris Timberlake as Meralco snapped a two-game losing skid, including a 78-88 setback dealt by Barangay Ginebra last April 2.

More importantly, the Bolts improved to an even 4-4 record, good for solo fifth but enough to advance to the Last Eight along with San Mig Super Coffee (4-2) and defending champion Alaska (4-3).

Prolific Joshua Dollard led all scorers with 33 points but the Energy Cola lost steam in the face of the Bolts' rally, resulting to their second consecutive setback and sixth overall against two wins, moving on the verge of an early elimination.

With momentum on their side following a late run in the second canto, the Bolts continued to pour it on in the third behind their local firepower led by Dillinger, who scored seven on the team's 31-point output.

Then the likes of David, Timberlake, Hugnatan, John Wilson, and Cliff Hodge joined the fray, easing up the load off Jackson's shoulders while taking control with a 78-74 cushion early in the fourth.

However, Barako Bull clawed back behind guard Jeric Fortuna and Dollard, who made two freebies that put them on top anew 88-87 with 6:15 left to play.

But the Bolts won't be denied. Using their defensive stance as the anchor, they scored nine unanswered points to build a 96-88 cushion with under four minutes remaining.

From there, the likes of veterans David and Hugnatan took turns in quelling off the Energy's repeated last-gasp rallies.

The Bolts can now heave a big sigh of relief as they redeemed themselves from a disappointing ninth-placed finish in the last Philippine Cup.

The Main Man: Jared Dillinger once again provided the spark as he finished with 16 points, spiked by four triples, on top of six rebounds, five assists and two blocks.

Honorable Mentions: Also coming up big for the Bolts were import Darnell Jackson, veterans Gary David, Reynel Hugnatan and back-up guard Chris Timberlake.

Game Turning Point: After the Energy pulled within 92-96, the Bolts refused to wilt, typified by veteran Reynel Hugnatan, who immediately nailed a jump hook over Barako Bull import Joshua Dollard for a six-point Meralco cushion going to the last 1:25.

He Said It:
Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio: "We started flat. But in the game of basketball, we don’t lose in the second, third and fourth quarters. This game is too important for us to let it slip away."


The scores:

MERALCO 105 - Jackson 30, Dillinger 16, David 15, Wilson 15, Timberlake 12, Hodge 10, Hugnatan 7, Caram 0, Salvacion 0, Sena 0, Guevarra 0.

BARAKO 98 - Dollard 33, Intal 12, Pennisi 12, Fortuna 11, Miller 9, Miranda 8, Wilson 7, Marcelo 3, Buenafe 3, Pena 0.

Quarters: 20-33, 42-54, 73-74, 105-98