Meralco, Ros score lights on

MANILA, Philippines — No way Meralco would let Barangay Ginebra bring out the broom and abruptly end its campaign in the quarterfinals again.

Meeting the do-or-die challenge head-on, the Bolts cranked it up in a 108-104 victory to pull even with the Gin Kings and force their rivals to a deciding Game 3 in their dispute for a PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal ticket last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

From the usual suspects led by Akil Mitchell to the backup personnel led by Jansen Rios, the Meralco cagers did everything in their power to stop Ginebra from repeating their Last-8 sweep in the previous Governors’ Cup and instead bring this race-to-two confrontation to a sudden death tomorrow. The KO for the right to face top-seeded NorthPort in the Final Four is set at the Ynares Center in Antipolo

Mitchell produced a triple-double of 13 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists to anchor Meralco’s quick fightback after dropping the opener, 92-100.

Answering the call for the support crew to step up, wingman Rios rifled in 15 markers highlighted by two booming triples in the stretch that sparked Meralco’s breakaway to 102-92.

 Rain or Shine similarly  forged a 1-1 deadlock with Converge via a 114-104 bounceback to their previous 118-130 loss.

Deon Thompson, without foul trouble this time, dropped 28-18-7 while Adrian Nocum punched in 16 of his 28 in the fourth to ignite ROS’ pullaway.