by Jonas Terrado
Games Wednesday (Cuneta Astrodome)
4:30 p.m. – ROS vs Phoenix
7 p.m. – SMB vs NorthPort
The Meralco Bolts stayed in contention for a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night, picking up their third straight win after trouncing the shorthanded Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 91-82, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Allen Durham, Chris Newsome, Mike Tolomia and Cliff Hodge scored during a telling run that allowed the Bolts to pull away from the Elasto Painters and improve to 4-6 with one game left in the eliminations.
Meralco also moved a half-game behind sister teams TNT KaTropa and NLEX, which share seventh to eighth places at 4-5.
Durham had 19 points, 20 rebounds, six assists, Tolomia scored a conference-high 17 points and Hodge put up 14 points and 11 rebounds in a balanced scoring attack that pleased Meralco coach Norman Black.
But Black was more satisfied with the Bolts’ defense in the last three outings which was instrumental in keeping the squad in the quarterfinal race after things appeared bleak after falling to 1-6 in the season-ending conference.
The Bolts snapped their six-game skid with a 108-105 thriller over the Road Warriors the previous Sunday before posting a 94-88 win against erstwhile solo leader Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok three nights earlier in Antipolo City.
“Our defense was very solid and everybody’s operating as a team,” Black said.
The concern now for Meralco is whether it can ride on the momentum after a 12-day break when it battles San Miguel Beer on Nov. 3 at the Big Dome.
While concerns of rust may affect the Bolts after the respite, Black would rather see themselves in this situation than worry about their vacation plans.
“At least we put ourselves in a situation where we still have a chance to make the playoffs. Three games ago, we were pretty much given up for dead so I’m really happy and proud of my team that kept fighting and we still have a chance,” he said.
Norbert Torres scored 16 points but Rain or Shine fell to 2-6 after playing sans Beau Belga due to an injured right foot and Raymond Almazan because of his ongoing frustration with the team.
The scores:
Meralco 91 – Durham 19, Tolomia 17, Hodge 14, Newsome 12, Caram 11, Hugnatan 10, Salva 4, Amer 2, Jamito 2, Ballesteros 0.
ROS 82 – Torres 16, Watson 14, Nambatac 13, Daquioag 10, Ponferada 7, Ahanmisi 7, Yap 7, Norwood 6, Borboran 2.
Quarters: 19-19, 44-43, 65-65, 91-82.
