Meralco stymies B-Meg as Lanete stars

MANILA, Philippines—Chico Lanete charged through with 24 points even as Asi Taulava and Mark Borboran delivered clutch baskets for Meralco to shock B-Meg, 84-78, Saturday in the 2011 PBA Philippine Cup at the Arena in San Juan.

Lanete, who also dished out nine assists and notched three steals, spearheaded the Bolts’ assault along side Mark Isip, who added 18 points.

But when the Llamados caught up and came within a point—Taulava and Borboran conspired for a crucial six-point swing which gave them cushion with under two minutes to play.

Taulava and Borboran combined for 18 points as Meralco chalked up its second straight win, and the squad hopes to sustain the momentum as the going gets tougher in the conference.

The Llamados, under the clock of multi-titled mentor Tim Cone, absorbed their second defeat in three matches despite main man James Yap starring anew with 19 points.

Yap made both freebies to trim the lead, 76-77, while rookie Mark Barroca, who finished with just five points, nailed a jumper that inched BMeg to within 78-80—but couldn’t follow up down the stretch.