JAY R. GOTERA
Saudi Gazette
MANILA — After five heart-breakers, the Meralco Bolts finally nailed their first win, beating the Star Hotshots, 87-83, in a furiously fought contest between two skidding teams Saturday night in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The Bolts proved to be the hungrier squad as they handed the Hotshots their fourth straight defeat in six games.
Meralco remained at the bottom of the standings despite the win while Star fell to solo ninth.
Gary David once again was the main man for the Bolts, finishing with a game-high 26 points, including his team’s last 11 to put to waste Star’s spirited comeback bid.
PBA returnee Rabeh Al-Hussaini and Reynel Hugnatan provided David ample support as they combined for 22 points.
Rookie Chris Newsome started for Meralco as point guards Jimmy Alapag and Anjo Caram were both listed as injured. Newsome did not disappoint as he finished with eight points, five assists, four boards, and four steals against three turnovers in 32 minutes of action.
James Yap led Star with 26 points while Marc Pingris added 13 markers.
The Bolts employed a crippling defense that forced the Hotshots to 23 turnovers, which they translated to 16 easy points, including 11 fastbreak points.
Rain or Shine 103,
Blackwater 81
Following a stinging defeat to GlobalPort Batang Pier last week, the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters bounced back mightily with a 103-81 crushing of expansion club Blackwater Elite.
The win forced a three-way tie for the top spot in the standings with Rain or Shine, Alaska and San Miguel Beer all sporting a 4-1 win-loss slate.
Blackwater fell to its fourth loss in five games and tied Mahindra for 10th to 11th place.
Sophomore Jericho Cruz was the surprise top scorer for the Painters as he fired a career-high 23 points in just 20 minutes of action. He also collected three assists, two rebounds, and one steal for the Painters.
Cruz was red-hot in the third quarter, banging in 14 of his total points as the Painters extended an eight-point halftime lead to 19 points entering the fourth period.
Rookie Jewel Ponferrada added 15 points, while twin heavyweights Beau Belga and JR Quinahan chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively and combined for 13 boards. Rain or Shine outrebounded Blackwater, 54-43.
Rookie Art dela Cruz led Blackwater with 15 points while John Paul Erram added 14.
Games Sunday: Barako Bull Energy (3-2) vs. San Miguel Beermen (4-1) and Barangay Ginebra Kings (2-3) vs. Mahindra Enforcers (1-4).
