Bolts zap sluggish Elasto Painters, end 6-game slide

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Even against a great Rain or Shine defensive stand, Meralco still found the bottom of the net. And even when the Bolts left the door wide open late, the Elasto Painters just couldn’t capitalize.

Meralco pulled off an 82-72 stunner over a sluggish Rain or Shine crew to snap its six-game losing skid Friday in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup at Cuneta Astrodome.

It also kept the Bolts in the running for a playoff spot despite sitting at a 3-7 record.

“We’re keeping our hopes up. We’re trying to win one more game and hope somebody end up with four wins. We don’t have control of our fate anymore,” said coach Norman Black.

Chris Newsome led Meralco with 19 points, six assists, and four rebounds, while Cliff Hodge added a double-double of 17 markers and 16 boards along with four blocks.

Jonathan Uyloan also went on a 4-of-10 shooting from downtown, including the dagger three in the final minute, to finish with 14 points, six rebounds, four dimes and four steals.

Rabeh Al-Hussaini chipped in 10 markers and five boards for the Bolts.

With a 9-0 spurt, Meralco erected an early 30-16 lead which it would stretch to 15, 35-20, at the end of the first quarter.

The Bolts went on cruise control and denied numerous rallies from the Elasto Painters, with Newsome even nailing a tough jumper against the choking defense of Beau Belga to end the third.

Rain or Shine still had a chance to inch closer late after a James Yap trey in the final 3:35 to trim the deficit to eight, 77-68, but ultimately failed to cash in on its chances before Uyloan sealed the deal with a corner trey.

“I’m happy we won,” sighed Black. “It’s not a great feeling going home in traffic after a loss. At least this time, the traffic will be a lot better.”

The Elasto Painters missed their chance of clinching a quarterfinal berth and fell to a four-team tie for third at 5-4, carrying identical slates with Blackwater, Phoenix, and TNT.

Yap topped Rain or Shine with 17 points on a 2-of-8 shooting from threes, alongside four rebounds and three assists, while Jewel Ponferrada got 11 markers and seven boards off the bench in the loss.

The Scores:

MERALCO 82 – Newsome 19, Hodge 17, Uyloan 14, Al-Hussaini 10, Chua 9, Hugnatan 4, Dillinger 3, Daquioag 2, Grey 2, Amer 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 72 – Yap 17, Ponferrada 11, Chan 9, Cruz 9, Belga 7, Trollano 7, Washington 6, Tiu 4, Norwood 2, Ahanmisi 0, Matias 0.

Quarters: 35-20, 49-35, 68-56, 82-72.