B-Boys spark; Asi sparkles

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco Bolts emerged victorious in its first ever road game, pulling the rug from under Fiesta Cup champion Alaska Milk, 83-71, in the Phoenix Fuel PBA on Tour stop at the Victorias City Sports and Amusement Center in Victorias, Negros Occidental last night.

The B-Boys stepped up in the continued absence of injured top gun Macmac Cardona, upsetting the Aces for their third win against five losses in the season-opening Philippine Cup.

“It’s a monster victory for us. We fought hard, did not give up and were rewarded with our effort,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“We dug deep into our hearts and made the impossible possible. Defense was the key and we scored enough to win,” Gregorio added.

Asi Taulava, playing his last game with Meralco before joining the Smart Gilas Team in its campaign in the Guangzhou Asian Games, had significant contribution as the B-Boys checked a two-game slump with a stirring come-from-behind win over the Aces.

Taulava banged away 12 points for the B-Boys who overcame a 14-point deficit and sent the Aces reeling with a fourth straight defeat.

Hans Thiele debuted with Meralco with 11 points as the undrafted rookie, recruited by the B-Boys from Barako in exchange for Dennis Daa, helped the team get back on the winning track halfway through the elimination phase of the all-Filipino tourney.

“Thiele was key addition to us. Hopefully after tonight’s victory, our confidence level stabilizes that yes, we can compete,” said Gregorio.

Chris Ross, Gabby Espinas and Beau Belga also put in double-digit outputs for the B-Boys.

The Aces remained on a slump as they faded away at the finish.

The B-Boys shattered a 67-all deadlock and built a commanding 79-67 spread as the Aces went scoreless for six minutes.

It was another sorry loss for the Aces, who in this game, dominated in the early goings only to squander a 55-41 advantage.

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beer seeks to firm up its hold of the solo lead, eyeing a sixth straight win as it takes on Rain or Shine at the start of the final half of the elims at the Araneta Coliseum today.

The Beermen, who are 6-1 halfway through the elims, play the Elasto Painters at 4 p.m. looking to sustain their hot charge to step closer to an outright berth in the quarterfinals.

Talk n Text and Barako Bull mix it up at 6:30 p.m. with both out to rebound from a loss the last time out.

The Texters eye solo second at 6-2 while the Energy Boosters try to catch the Powerade Tigers and the Aces at 3-4.