Meralco Bolts scolded, scramble past Columbian Dyip

Cold start, hot finish

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco overcame a poor start with a strong finish half last night, kicking off its PBA Governors Cup campaign with a 109-106 win over Columbian Dyip at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Coach Norman Black did not like what he saw in the first half, where the Bolts trailed by as many as 10 points, and gave his wards quite a mouthful during the break.

The Bolts, starring two-time Best Import Allen Durham, Mike Tolomia and Baser Amer, responded by exploding for 42 points in the third quarter.

“Bad start kami kaya nasermonan kami ni (that’s why we were scolded by) coach in the dugout,” said Amer, who finished the game with 23 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The former San Beda Red Lion flew high for a layup that gave Meralco a 108-106 lead with just a minute remaining in the inaugural game of the import-laden conference.

In the other game, NLEX played without head coach Yeng Guiao and a couple of key players but found other ways to beat an intact TNT KaTropa, 103-90.

Guiao is with the national team in Indonesia along with veteran Asi Taulava while Kiefer Ravena and Kevin Alas remain inactive. But acting coach Jojo Lastimosa drew big games from import Olu Ashaol, Larry Fonacier and new names Philip Paniamogan, Bong Galanza and Mark Tallo to pull it off.

Columbian Dyip came close to victory under new head coach John Cardel. But the Dyip bungled their last three offensive plays and bowed in defeat.

The scores: 

First Game

Meralco 109 – Durham 26, Amer 23, Tolomia 14, Hodge 11, Caram 10, De Ocampo 10, Canaleta 9, Salva 4, Newsome 2, Lanete 0, Bono 0, Hugnatan 0. 

Columbian 106 – Wright 30, King 24, Khobuntin 10, Corpuz 10, Camson 8, Escoto 8, McCarthy 5, Celda 5, Tubid 2, Cabrera 2, Cahilig 2, Lastimosa 0.

Quarterscores: 26-25, 43-53, 85-76, 109-106

Second Game

NLEX 103 – Ashaolu 33, Tallo 16, Fonacier 14, Paniamogan 11, Galanza 9, Quinahan 5, Tiongson 5, Mallari 5, Baguio 3, Miranda 2, Marcelo 0,

TNT KaTropa 90 – Romeo 27, Castro 13, Pogoy 13, Glover 11, Semerad 10, Rosario 5, Williams 4, Garcia 3, Tamsi 2, Golla 0, Carey 0.

Quartercores: 23-17, 54-45, 78-74, 103-90.