B-Meg evens series vs. Meralco

CEBU, Philippines - The B-Meg Llamados wasted away a 26-point lead, but quelled a daring comeback by the Meralco Bolts in the final half to walk away with a 95-85 victory and level their best-of-three quarterfinal series at one game apiece in the PBA Commissioner's Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

B-Meg and Meralco, thus, will figure in a sudden-death duel next week for the right to face the already waiting Brgy. Ginebra Kings in the semifinal round.

The Bolts, who took the series opener via a 103-81 demolition last Sunday, were dealt with a crushing blow early on when top local player Mark Cardona was ejected after incurring two consecutive technical fouls with just a minute gone by in the game. 

The Llamados then commenced their blazing assault anchored on a 17-2 run, which they padded into a imposing 39-13 bulge on two free throws by June Peter Simon with still 8:10 to play in the second period.

B-Meg closed the first half with a 52-29 advantage, but the Bolts made a big third-quarter comeback to whittle the deficit down to eight, 68-76, heading into the final 12--minute mark of the contest.

The Bolts got even closer at 70-76, but the Llamados replied with a 8-2 spurt to restore a double-digit lead, 87-74. Meralco threatened for the last time at 85-91 but time wasn't on its side with only a minute remaining in the contest. - THE FREEMAN