Davis lifts Bolts to 2nd win

Games tomorrow (Biñan, Laguna)

3 p.m. – Blackwater vs Talk n Text

5:15 p.m. – Ginebra vs Barako Bull

MANILA, Philippines - Josh Davis used his quickness to amass big all-around numbers against Kia giant import Peter John Ramos while Gary David and Jai Reyes provided offensive firepower coming off the bench as the Meralco Bolts stung the Carnival, 90-80, for a second straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

Davis, debuting in the local pro league with 25 points and 24 rebounds against Barangay Ginebra, churned out 19 markers, 19 boards, seven steals, two assists and one block this time as the Bolts repeated their 99-93 conquest of the Carnival in their Philippine Cup faceoff.

David and Reyes, stepping up in the absence of Jared Dillinger and Mike Cortez, combined for seven three-pointers and a total of 41 points, helping the Bolts to the come-from-behind win over Ramos and the Carnival.

Kia suffered a second straight loss in the mid-season tourney and its 12th dating back to the all-Filipino conference.

Reactivated just Thursday afternoon, Reyes went 5-of-14 from the field, including three triples, and also made three charities for a career-best 16 points.

The former Ateneo spitfire fired two charities to spark Meralco’s rally from an 11-point deficit in the second quarter on the way to a second straight win following an 85-74 triumph over the Gin Kings Tuesday.

“We did a good job at halftime to instill more energy on our defense,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

“I’m very happy for Cliff Hodge whose energy helped us a lot, for Gary David for his consistency and Jai who played a big role for orchestrating the offense. I thought Jai did a good job stepping up in the absence of Mike Cortez,” Black also said.

The Bolts needed to raise the level of intensity and energy of their game to overcome the Carnival’s strong start and Ramos’ 34-point and 21-rebound performance.

Marqus Blakely put up a remarkable performance playing as Purefoods interim import, coming through with a near triple double job with 26 points, 18 rebounds and seven blocks as the Hotshots opened their Commissioner’s Cup title defense with an 83-70 whipping of the Globalport Batang Pier later in the night.

Blakely started the game swatting away the first field goal attempts of CJ Leslie, and the reigning Governors Cup Best Import awardee went on to dominate the game, powering the Hotshots to a triumphant debut in the tourney that they won over the Talk n Text Texters last year.

Notes: A moment of silence and prayer was offered for the fallen SAF men in Mamasapano, Maguindanao before the opening tip of the Meralco-Kia match….. Meralco import Josh Davis fell victim to a pickpocket just outside MOA Arena after his PBA debut versus the Barangay Ginebra Kings Tuesday. He lost his cell phone while busy entertaining requests for photo shoots with some fans.

The scores:

First Game

Meralco 90 – David 25, Davis 19, Reyes 16, Anthony 6, Ildefonso 6, Hugnatan 6, Hodge 4, Wilson 4, Ferriols 4, Atkins 0, Cortez 0, Buenafe 0, Sena 0. 

Kia 80 – Ramos 34, Buensuceso 11, Poligrates 6, Webb 6, Cawaling 5, Yee 5, Pascual 4, Ighalo 4, Revilla 3, Burtscher 2, Thiele 0, Padilla 0.

Quarterscores: 12-18, 36-38, 62-56, 90-80

Second Game

PUREFOODS 83 – Blakely 26, Barroca 11, Mallari 10, Yap 9, Melton 8, Pingris 6, Devance 6, Maliksi 5, Reavis 2, Alvarez 0, Pennisi 0, Gaco 0, Allado 0.

GLOBALPORT 70 – Leslie 25, Romeo 19, Miranda 10, Pringle 4, Ponferada 4, Semerad 3, Taha 2, Isip 2, Pinto 1, Buenafe 0, Caperal 0, Nabong 0, Baclao 0.

Quarterscores: 21-20, 41-36, 57-46, 83-70