PBA: Bolts snap skid, outlast Painters, 87-79

Meralco put an end to its alarming skid in the PBA Philippine Cup Sunday night, outlasting Rain or Shine, 87-79, in a tightly-fought game at the Araneta Coliseum. Mark Cardona again led the way for the Bolts, but it was role players Chris Ross and Gabby Espinas who made the big difference in the team’s second win in five outings and their first in three weeks. Espinas had eight of his 18 markers in the fourth period, while Ross scored 12 points and dished off three of his four assists in the payoff quarter. Together, the two provided the much-needed support for Cardona. The Bolts’ top gunner finished with a conference-high 27 points. “The last three losses were losses because we allowed ourselves to just roll over and die," said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio. “We’re slowly beginning to adjust to each other’s strengths and I’m slowly beginning to discover the team’s strengths. I’ve always thought that Rain or Shine is a tough team and it’s a great feeling to win against a quality team." Gregorio’s comments on Rain or Shine were based on facts. The Elasto Painters stunned tournament favorite Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 89-86, Wednesday. But Rain or Shine just couldn’t pull this one off ,and tumbled to its third loss in five games to wind up in a tie with Meralco. A total of 19 lead changes occurred in the game that wasn’t decided until the Bolts came through with a crucial 6-0 run entering the homestretch. Holding on to a precarious 78-76 lead, Meralco scored six unanswered points on a follow-up off Asi Taulava's missed free throws, a Nelbert Omolon fastbreak and two foul shots by Espinas with 1:52 left. Following the offensive burst, the Bolts found themselves on top for good, 84-76. Taulava, one of the three PBA players loaned to the RP-Smart Gilas team for the Asian Games, added eight points and six rebounds while providing the muscle for the Bolts. “He’s a winner," said Gregorio of the 37-year-old center, the third oldest player in the league. “But Asi is a tired man. He’s been practicing twice a day. He doesn’t have youthful legs, but I told him to challenge his excuses. He was a solid performer in tonight’s game." The Elasto Painters trimmed the gap to 84-79 with 1:07 left, but failed to score from there on. The Bolts held Rain or Shine to just three points in the final five minutes. The Elasto Painters went 26-of-66 from the field (39.4-percent) Sol Mercado led the Elasto Painters with 17 points and a career-high seven steals. Gabe Norwood had 15 and Doug Kramer again had a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds. - RCJ/KY, GMANews.TV