Bolts virtually oust Express

MANILA—Meralco snapped a two-game losing streak and practically eliminated Air21 from further contention Wednesday after a defense-oriented 93-86 decision of the Express in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The B-Boys unveiled a new import in Tim Pickett, got a vintage effort from Asi Taulava and had practically everyone contributing on both ends to rise to 3-2 overall and deal the Express a fifth straight loss.

Petron Blaze notched a second consecutive victory later in the night, but not after going through the proverbial eye of the needle in an 87-84 triumph over sister squad B-Meg.

Jeremy Wise hit two critical layups and Alex Cabagnot two charities in the dying seconds as the Boosters improved to 4-2 overall, possibly to within another win of a seat in the semifinals. The Llamados, whose import, Darnell Hinson scored just five points, dropped to 3-3.

Meralco held the Express to 34 points in the middle two quarters to break away and stay within the magic circle of six teams that will advance to the semifinals.

“The biggest chance to win is to play tough defense,” Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said in revealing his pre-game plan. “Our goal was to limit them to less than 88 and we achieved it.

“We are lacking major (offensive) players and it is imperative for us to make stops,” he added as Mac Cardona, his leading local scorer, remained injured together with star point guard Chris Ross.

Meanwhile, commissioner Chito Salud yesterday went to the Talk ‘N Text practice to personally apologize to the Tropang Texters, who were left stranded for nine hours in Dubai last Sunday.

Salud took all the blame in the snafu that drew the ire of TNT owner Manny V. Pangilinan and board representative and former league chair Ricky Vargas, who called for an investigation in a strongly worded letter last Monday.

“I am here for one thing only, to personally apologize for what happened in Dubai,” TNT coach Chot Reyes quoted Salud as saying in his Twitter page.

The scores:
MERALCO 93—Pickett 32, Taulava16,Mercado15,Aljamal10,Espinas 6,Isip 6,Omolon 6,Ritualo 2,Menor 0, Hugnatan 0.
AIR21 86—Bangura 31, Seigle 17, Arboleda 9, Urbiztondo 8, Najorda 6, Sharma 4, Canaleta 3, Avenido 3, Hontiveros 3, Espiritu 2, Salvador 0, Artadi 0.
Quarters: 18-22, 46-39, 66-56, 93-86
Second Game
PETRON 87—Santos 23, Wise 20, Al-Hussaini 17, Cabagnot 13, Pennisi 7, Tugade 3, Duncil 2, Ildefonso 2, Hubalde 0, Salvacion 0.
B-MEG 84—Yap J. 19, Simon 17, Pingris 16, Devance 15, Yap. R. 8, Hinson 5, Gaco 2, Allado 2, Fernandez 0, Escobal 0, Reavis 0.
Quarters: 15-15, 33-38, 62-65, 87-84