Meralco bolts thru slump, trips Air21

MANILA, Philippines - Debuting Meralco import Tim Pickett sizzled with 30 points in the first three quarters then his local teammates took over in the payoff period as the Bolts checked a two-game slide with a 93-86 win over the slumping Air21 Express in the PBA Governors Cup at the Araneta Coliseum last night.

Sol Mercado, Nelbert Omolon and Gabby Espinas came through with clutch baskets to fend off a fourth-quarter Air21 fightback and enhance Meralco’s semifinals bid with its third win in five outings.

The Bolts gained a share of third place with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters while sending the Express on the brink of elimination with a 0-5 win-loss record.

“Before the game, we talked about our biggest chance to win is to play tough defense. The target really was to limit them to less than 88 and we achieved the goal,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“For our team which is lacking in offensive players, it’s imperative to make defensive stops and hope that it would be enough in the end. It helped in this game that we have Tim Pickett who can score on variety of shots,” Gregorio added.

Pickett, Meralco’s import replacement for Champ Oguchi, gave the Bolts tremendous boost with 32 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in 42 minutes of action.

“He’s pretty much what’s the doctor ordered for our team lacking in personnel,” said Gregorio. “Aside from being a scorer, he has the ability to bring down the ball and play D.”

Pickett, a second round draftee by the New Orleans in the 2004 NBA draft, went 6-of-9 from the three-point area, 5-of-8 from the two-point zone and 2-of-5 from the stripe through the first three quarters allowing the Bolts to establish control with a 15-point lead at 64-49.

The Express fought back to within three at 65-68 on a 14-2 run but ran out of steam and took their eighth straight loss dating back to the Commissioner’s Cup.

Air21 was still close behind at 80-83 before Omolon and Espinas struck with decisive baskets, sending Meralco back on the winning track.

Asi Taulava had his steady presence, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Mercado wound up with 15 points, eight rebounds and the same number of assists while Omolon and Espinas combined for 10 points in the closing minutes.

Alex Cabagnot and Jeremy Wise combined for all of Petron Blaze’s last 12 points as the Boosters outlasted the B-Meg Llamados, 87-84, in a tight battle in the nightcap.

The Boosters emerged triumphant from a close game for the second contest, jacking up their record to 4-2.

NOTES: Ginebra import Curtis Stinson has been advised by doctors to take a 10-day rest after suffering a bruised right knee. Coach Jong Uichico said Stinson’s injured knee is badly swollen......Meralco star wingman Macmac Cardona was finally back in uniform but kept on the bench versus Air21.

The scores:

First Game

Meralco 93 – Pickett 32, Taulava16, Mercado 15, Aljamal 10, 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.

Quarterscores: 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.

Quarterscores: 15-15, 33-38, 62-65, 87-84