Meralco knocks out KIA, gives NLEX free ride to playoffs
NLEX, even without breaking a sweat, achieved a big goal and the Road Warriors can thank their sister the Meralco Bolts.
Meralco blew a big 22-point lead but found their second wind in time to carve out a thrilling 99-93 victory over hard-fighting KIA on Wednesday night and eliminate the Sorento from playoff contention in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
After a roaring start that gave them a lead of 22 points at 63-41 early in the third canto, the Bolts suddenly went cold in the face of the Sorento’s strong fightback and even stood on the brink of a monumental collapse when they fell behind by three midway through the payoff canto.
Good thing for the Bolts, veterans Jared Dillinger, Mark Macapagal and Cliff Hodge rose to the occasion as they took turns in their decisive push, fueling a 14-3 run in a critical four-minute stretch to send the Sorento packing along with fellow newcomer Blackwater Elite.
Dillinger led all scorers with 25 points, including 13 in their ferocious start, while the do-it-all Hodge filled up the void left by injured Reynel Hugnatan with a double-double outing of 17 markers and 10 rebounds as Meralco snapped a two-game losing skid.
More importantly, the Bolts improved their record to an even 5-5 card in a tie with idle GlobalPort Batang Pier in the middle pack while giving KIA the boot after the Sorento dropped their ninth straight game after its opening-day victory against Blackwater.
Benefiting the most from Meralco’s victory is NLEX, which completed the 10-team playoff cast while turning its final eliminations assignment against Kia on Dec. 7 into a no-bearing affair.
Although they failed to keep their hopes alive, the Sorento have nothing to be ashamed of, especially in giving the Bolts one big scare.
With playing coach Manny Pacquiao starting for KIA, Meralco uncorked a 15-4 start and even stretched its lead to 34-19 after the first 12 minutes, with Dillinger leading the way.
But the Sorento finally showed some signs of life in the second canto and had it on full display in third behind the exploits of Reil Cervantes, Eloy Poligrates and Hyram Bagatsing, who sparked a 28-8 counterattack that trimmed what once a 22-point deficit to just one, keeping them in the thick of the fight.
KIA continued its roll in the fourth as LA Revilla scored five straight points and Poligrates made another jumper for an 81-78 lead.
However, Meralco regained its bearings defensively and rediscovered its offensive groove as well by unloading 14 of the next 16 points, capped by Macapagal’s second triple for a 92-83 cushion with less than five minutes left.
But the Sorento refused to easily fold as they uncorked three straight triples, the last off Jopher Custodio at the top of the key, that enabled them to pull within 93-96 with 67 seconds remaining.
The Bolts, however, didn’t lose composure and closed it out.
In his first game since KIA's opening-day win over Blackwater, Pacquiao logged just over six minutes, all in the first quarter, and went scoreless. He grabbed two rebounds but committed one foul and one turnover. He took and missed two three-point attempts, with the second one rimming out.
The Main Man: Jared Dillinger delivered the goods anew with a game-best 25 points, even starring in the Bolts’ electrifying start.
Honorable Mentions: Also making their presence felt for Meralco were veterans Mark Macapagal and Cliff Hodge, who made necessary buckets in the stretch.
Game Turning Point: Staring at a 78-81 deficit, the Bolts turned up the heat on the defensive end then regained their offensive flow by uncorking a telling 14-2 run for an eight-point lead with five minutes left.
Stat of the Game: Even without the presence of hard-banging Reynel Hugnatan, the Bolts still lorded it over in the lane by scoring 14 more points over the Sorento in the shaded lane.
He Said It:
Meralco coach Norman Black: When they took lead in fourth, there's a possibility we might lose the game. It’s been a roller coaster ride so I’ll take the win. I'm happy with the win. Reynel Hugnatan will be back next game. In the last five minutes, I told players we have two options: Let this go or let’s keep our composure and regain control of the game.
Next Games:
Meralco versus GlobalPort on Dec. 9 at the Astrodome
Kia against NLEX on Dec. 7 at the Araneta Coliseum
The scores:
Meralco 99 – Dillinger 25, Hodge 17, Anthony 14, Wilson 11, David 10, Macapagal 8, Morrison 4, Cortez 3, Ferriols 3, Ildefonso 2, Sena 2, Buenafe 0, Guevarra 0.
Kia 93 – Cervantes 18, Poligrates 11, Revilla 10, Bagatsing 10, Thiele 9, Alvarez 8, Pascual 8, Dehesa 7, Custodio 6, Webb 4, Burtscher 3, Pacquiao 0, Buensuceso 0.
Quarterscores: 34-19; 60-39; 73-72; 99-93.
