Asi Taulava of Air 21 (light) vs of Reynel Hugnatan Meralco (dark). KC Cruz/PBA
MANILA, Philippines – Gary David had the hot hand and newly-signed Danny Ildefonso provided a much-needed boost as Meralco beat Air21, 92-88, in overtime to snap a four-game losing skid in the 2014 PLDT myDSL Philippine Cup Saturday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.
David upstaged the Express’ streak-shooter Niño Canaleta in a virtual shootout with 34 points while Ildefonso, who was signed to a one-conference deal, showed flashes of his old self with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists.
“What an incredible test again but this time we made sure that we’re going to come out on top. Just an incredible feeling that the guy who was probably left out helped us tremendously tonight and that’s Danny Ildefonso,” said Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio after his team improved to 4-7.
“It was a scary game, I cannot deny that fact, it was really a scary game. Images of the Ginebra game was vivid in our minds so i just told the players we’re going to come out fighting and make the right decisions in the end and just make sure to make the necessary stops and that’s what we did in overtime,” Gregorio, pertaining to the Bolts’ heartbreaking 82-83 loss to the Kings in their previous outing, said in a sigh of relief.
David scored seven points in extra time including an open layup off a timely bounce pass by Reynel Hugnatan that gave Meralco an 87-84 edge with still 1:08 left.
Hugnatan, who ended up with nine points and 16 rebounds, followed David’s basket with a post move before three free throws coming from Ildefonso and John Wilson clinched the game.
Canaleta had 32 points, 15 in the fourth quarter and extra period including a game-tying three, 79-all, at the end of regulation. Air21 slid to 2-8.
Asi Taulava had another solid game with 15 points and a season-high 26 rebounds, equaling his career-best.
“Enormous,” Gregorio said as he summed up Ildefonso’s impact on his team’s key win. “In the end, we just wanted to give the ball to the player who makes the right decisions so it was Hugnatan in the post, Danny Ildefonso in the post and Gary David who exploded tonight.”
The Bolts played without their starting point guard Mike Cortez, who will be out for three to four months after needing surgery to repair a tear on his knee.
“It’s hard for us because of the injuries but we’re going to live with the bunch of players that we have. We’re still alive.”