Garvo Lanete. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
And for undermanned Meralco, it found a hero in Garvo Lanete, who kept the Bolts’ flickering playoff hopes alive in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup.
Dead in the water a week ago, the Bolts somehow, remained in the hunt for a quarterfinals berth thanks in large part to Lanete, who has been leading his team in scoring the past couple of games.
The former San Beda star, who has hit seven 3-pointers combined the last two games, averaged 21.5 points in victories over Phoenix and Barangay Ginebra to earn the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week honors.
Lanete poured in 24 points on 4-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc in a 92-90 win over the Fuel Masters on Valentine’s Day.
He sustained that form on Sunday night at Philippine Arena where Meralco gained a measure of retribution against fierce rival Ginebra as he went for 19 points that went with two rebounds, and three steals in an 84-82 victory.
With a two-game winning run, the Bolts moved into a tie with TNT and Blackwater in ninth place.
The Bolts wrap up their elimination round against Magnolia on Saturday in what could very well determine their fate in the all-Filipino conference.
Lanete edged Magnolia forward Rome dela Rosa, San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo, Chris Ross and Arwind Santos, and NLEX guard Kevin Alas for the weekly plum for the period of February 12 to 18.