Meralco blows lead, pulls plug on Kia’s playoff bid

Jared Dillinger of Meralco (dark) vs Joshua Webb and LA Revilla of KIA (light). NUKI SABIO/PBA

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco knocked Kia out of playoff contention, 99-93, in 2015 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts blew a 22-point lead and needed to hold off the Sorento, whose playing-coach Manny Pacquiao suited up for just the second time in 10 games.

“I told my players they had two choices. We could let this go or we could compose ourselves and win the game,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black. “And pretty much, winning the game is the only option.”

Jared Dillinger scored a game-high 25 points while Cliff Hodge had 17, 10 coming in the fourth quarter.

Meralco took a 63-41 lead in the third quarter before getting outscored, 31-8, as Kia got its first taste of the lead, 72-71, after a wild shot by Reil Cervantes went in in the final frame.

Cervantes had 18 points for the Sorento while newly-acquired Eloy Poligrates added 11.

The loss by Kia also sent NLEX into the quarterfinals.

The Bolts missed the services of their veteran big man Reynel Hugnatan due to a swollen knee.