Leaving nothing to chance, Meralco played exceptional ball against the weakest team in the league.
The Bolts readily responded with their best game yet, drubbing the Blackwater Elite Friday night, 102-75, to seal a sure seat in the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The third straight victory of the Bolts not only bought them a ticket to the quarters, it also kept Meralco in the running for that all-important twice-to-beat edge in the playoffs.
“We’ll certainly go for it, but right now it’s more about trying to beat the teams ahead of us,” said Meralco coach Norman Black, whose Bolts share an identical 6-2 record with the TNT KaTropa.
Later in the night, Alaska held off stubborn NLEX, 120-111, to also bolster their playoff bid.
Anjo Caram was the most consistent guy on the floor for Meralco. The quick-footed backup point guard completed a turnover-free night with 13 points on top three rebounds and three assists.
“They focused much of their defense on Arinze (Onuaku), leaving most of us open,” said Caram. “It’s a big win for us going to the playoff stretch. Right now, we’re in control of our destiny as we face the top teams in the league.”
Winning over the Elite has become a feel-good moment for the Bolts as they prepare to end the elimination round with a four-game stretch in nine days.
They are scheduled to meet fellow quarterfinalists Alaska on Sunday, TNT next Friday and Rain or Shine on June 24.
With the Meralco lead ballooning to as many as 41 early in the fourth, Black had the luxury to field his bench players and rest his starters for good.
“They may look easy, but it’s not. It has always been a struggle,” said Black.
Out of the playoffs for good, the Elite will cap their campaign in the conference against the San Miguel Beermen on July 4 carrying a dismal record of just one win in 10 games.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine tries to also peel away in the race for the twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs when it battles Phoenix Fuel in a Petron Saturday Special at Mall of Asia Arena.
The game is at 4:30 p.m., after which San Miguel Beer battles dangerous TNT KaTropa.