A 9-0 run by the Bolts highlighted by a booming three-pointer by Mark Cardona early in the fourth quarter turned a 76-78 deficit to 85-76 lead with seven minutes left in the game. Asi Taulava, Mark Isip and Chico Lanete also contributed in that scoring binge.
The closest the Tigers got was when Gary David buried a triple, 95-98, with 1:33 remaining to play.
However, forward Gabby Espinas came through big on both ends of the court, first when he made a jumper from top of the key that gave his team a five-point cushion, 100-95, and then he followed it up with two crucial shot blocks on Doug Kramer and Sean Anthony.
Anthony had a chance to trim the lead but muffed two free throws. The two teams did not score, preserving the win for Meralco.
The win improved the Bolts’ record at 8-5, with a chance of gaining twice-to-beat in the quarterfinal playoffs as they shoot for another victory tomorrow when they finish their elimination round campaign against the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
“We’re very clear with our intention coming into the game and that is to fight for the character of team,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio, whose team also won against Powerade (98-96) last Nov. 16. “We very well know we’re in playoffs.”
“Right now the top two, we’ll try to reach our maximum potential. If we win and reach top two, why not? But the goal is keep playing hard and keep winning,” added Gregorio as his squad surpassed the franchise record of seven wins (in 16 games) in 2010 Philippine Cup.
Meralco guard Sol Mercado led the team in scoring with 23 points with six assists, while Cardona contributed 17 markers. Espinas recorded his seventh double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, which currently is third-best behind Arwind Santos of Petron Blaze (10) and Doug Kramer of Powerade (9).
Gary David led the Tigers with 25 points but wasn’t much of a factor because of foul trouble, while Kramer added 16 points and 11 boards.
Powerade dropped to 5-8 as it failed to clinch an outright quarterfinal slot, thus giving Alaska (3-9) a chance for that last playoff berth. The Tigers, though, can qualify automatically if they win against the Barako Bull Energy on Tuesday.
The Scores:
MERALCO 100 – Mercado 23, Cardona 17, Espinas 14, Lanete 9, Macapagal 9, Hugnatan 6, Yee 5, Taulava 5, Borboran 4, Isip 4, Omolon 4, Timberlake 0.
POWERADE 98 – David 25, Kramer 16, Anthony 14, Casio 13, Lassiter 9, Vanlandingham 7, Lingganay 6, Adducul 6, Cruz 2, Crisano 0, Antonio 0.
Quarters: 24-22; 49-54; 76-76; 100-98.
By WAYLON GALVEZ
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