Bolts storm back to thwart Energy Cola

Game today (MOA Arena)

6 p.m. – San Mig Coffee vs San Miguel Beer

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco overcame a sluggish start and came charging back from a big 22-point second-quarter deficit, turning back Barako Bull, 105-98, to formalize its quarterfinals entry in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.

With a solid team effort, the Bolts closed in, 73-74, at the end of the third period, finally took the lead, 78-74, at the start of the fourth and roared all the way to steal the win and improve to solo fifth with an even 4-4 win-loss card.

The Bolts got themselves in a good position to make the best-of-three quarterfinals while pushing the Energy Cola, at 2-6, to the brink of elimination.

“We started flat but in the game of basketball, you don’t lose in the first, second or third quarter. You just have to play until the end,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“We’re down by 22 but this game is too important for us to let it slip away,” Gregorio added. “If that’s the identity of the team being comeback kids, I don’t mind for as long as we win in the end.”

A number of Meralco players stepped up in their final-half fightback, including Fil-Am guard Chris Timberlake, who sizzled with a career-best 12 points on 4-of-5 field shooting and 4-of-4 free throws in his first outing in the mid-season tourney. Curiously, he was scoreless in all seven games he played in the Philippine Cup.

Timberlake’s two charities also gave Meralco its first taste of the lead at 75-74.

The Bolts didn’t score a single point in the first five minutes of the contest and needed to mount a searing rally from 22-44 to pound out the win and break free from a four-way logjam at fifth place with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, the Air21 Express and the Barangay Ginebra Kings.

Jarred Dillinger, John Wilson, Cliff Hodge, Gary David, Reynel Hugnatan and import Darnell Jackson played key roles in their fightback with David and Jackson teaming up in a nine-to-nothing tear that put the team in control, 96-88, entering the last three minutes of play.

Hugnatan scored on an attack to the basket then hit a charity as Meralco sealed the win, 99-92, with under a minute left in the clock.

Jackson piled up 10 points in the last seven minutes and finished with 30 while Dillinger, David, Wilson, Timberlake and Hudge added at least 10.

Wilson struck hard in the third quarter allowing the Bolts to come within one, 73-74, after trailing by 12, 42-54, at the half.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer and San Mig Coffee pursue their respective bids for a twice-to-beat bonus in the quarterfinals as they meet in a crucial match, also at the MOA Arena, today.

In the nightcap, Talk n Text, even minus injured import Richard Howell, distinguished itself the first team in 24 years to sweep its elimination-round assignments as the Tropang Texters nipped the Globalport Batang Pier, 92-91.

The Batang Pier could have sent the game into overtime but import Evan Brock split his foul shots with 1.9 ticks left.

San Miguel automatically claims playoffs second seeding if it beats San Mig Coffee. A victory by the Mixers, however, will put themselves in a good position to steal the spot.

Coach Tim Cone said it would be a battle.

“You always have your hands full when you go up against San Miguel. They have so many weapons to account for. They really force the tempo and they have real good in and out action with Junmar Fajardo and Kevin Jones,” said Cone.

The Beermen were right behind the Talk n Text Tropang Texters in the standings before they were stopped by the Alaska Milk Aces, 78-89, the last time out in a road game in Binan, Laguna on March 29.

And the Mixers closed in on the Beermen following a 97-84 repulsing of the Air21 Express Wednesday.“So we faced each other in a big game in terms of standing. Both teams should be ready,” said Cone.

The scores:

First Game

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.

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

Second Game

Talk n Text 92 – De Ocampo 17, Williams 16, Seigle 16, Fonacier 15, Canaleta 10, Castro 5, Alapag 4, Aban 3, Salamat 2, Baclao 2, Carey 2, Reyes Rob 0, Reyes Jai 0, Reyes Ryan 0.

Globalport 91 – Cabagnot 29, Brock 26, Salva 10, Salvador 8, Nabong 6, Macapagal 6, Matias 2, Sharma 2, Custodio 2, Yee 0, Chua 0, Garcia 0.

Quarterscores: 22-19, 40-41, 63-67, 92-91