Sol provider: Mercado rescues Rain or Shine

 

The stocky, 6-foot guard knocked down the winning jumper with 1.5 seconds left Wednesday night and lifted Rain or Shine to a 95-93 upset of Talk ‘N Text that snapped the Tropang Texters’ three-game winning run in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Cuneta Astrodome.

 

Instead of passing off to Jeff Chan, who delivered the three-pointer that secured the Elasto Painters’ 89-86 decision over Air21, Rain or Shine’s starting point guard put the game in his hands by swishing the decider over Jason Castro.

 

“It feels good doing both. A win is a win whether I hit it or pass it to somebody else,” Mercado told reporters after finishing with 18 points and four assists that helped the Painters rise to 2-2 overall.

 

In the second game, Derby Ace finally barged into the win column with a 75-71 victory over Meralco and former coach Ryan Gregorio.

 

The win marked Llamados coach George Gallent’s first victory as a PBA coach. Derby Ace now owns a 1-3 slate, the same record now toted by the Bolts, who have lost their last three outings after a season-opening victory.

 

Talk ‘N Text came into the match as the overwhelming favorite but was dragged into a dangerous endgame by the persistent Painters, who led for most of the way in a game which coach Caloy Garcia said tested their character further.

 

“I think the good side about wins like these is that we can prove that we can win close games against talented teams,” Garcia said. “I told the boys before the game that we are playing a talented team, but as you can see, we’re maturing well.”

 

Jay-R Reyes added 13 markers and former Rookie of the Year Gabriel Norwood tossed in 11 points, cleared eight boards and issued four assists that went with two steals in another splendid all-around display.

 

Jimmy Alapag and Harvey Carey were scintillating as usual for the Texters, champions here two seasons ago who were looking to start 4-0 for the first time since the 2005-06 edition of this tournament.

 

Alapag, who tied the count at 93 after two free throws off TY Tang with 21.5 seconds left, drilled in 26 points, 12 of them in the second quarter, while the workmanlike Carey scattered 20 and had 11 rebounds as he continued to plug the hole left by injured Ranidel de Ocampo.

 

Talk ‘N Text actually had a chance to at least tie the game, but Carey inbounded way too high, the ball bouncing off the top of the backboard before finding its way to Kelly Williams, who threw a fadeaway that was way short. Photo by Mark Giongco

 

The scores:
First Game
RAIN OR SHINE 95—Mercado 18, Reyes 13, Norwood 11, Vanlandingham 8, Kramer 8, Jazul 7, Rodriguez 7, Tang 6, Chan 5, Cruz 4, Ibanes 4, Bugia 2, Ferriols 2.
TALK ‘N TEXT 93—Alapag 26, Carey 20, Peek 15, Fonacier 13, Dillinger 11, Williams 5, Castro 2, Aban 1, Yee 0, Alvarez 0.
Quarters: 24-20, 51-45, 75-70, 95-93

Second Game

DERBY ACE 75—Yap J. 13,  Gaco 10, Maierhofer 9, Salvador 9, Adducul 9, Simon 7, Villanueva 6, Yap R. 6, Canaleta 4, Allado 2, Acuna 0.
MERALCO 71—Cardona 24, Omolon 17, Espinas 12, Aquino 6, Ross 5, Belga 2, Escobal 2, Aljamal 2, Taulava 1, Mirza 0, Gamalinda 0, Weinstein 0, Daa 0.
Quarters: 21-18, 36-37, 60-5, 75-71