Meralco Bolts vs Air21 Express

MANILA, Philippines – Meralco unleashed a 21-to-nothing run to break the game wide open early and went on to blast Air21, 106-77, to enhance its semifinal aspiration in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

It was a ho-hum match getting some drama only at the end when, at the buzzer, Meralco import Mario West sprinted off the court and rushed straight to the Air21 dugout obviously after Ogie Menor.

By then, Menor, however, was already in another place at the Big Dome. The Barako forward was thrown out of the game in the third quarter for a flagrant infraction on West.

West’s teammates also rushed to keep their import from getting anybody inside the Air21 dugout. Air21 team manager Jovvie Saddul complained he was hurt in the commotion, allegedly hit by a Meralco player.

The Meralco import had eluded his defender and was to take a layup when chased from way behind and hammered on the head by Menor.

For the record, Menor already incurred a third game ejection in the season.

The Bolts built a 25-6 lead after their decisive run where they held the Express to a 0-of-7 field shooting and also forced their rivals to commit seven turnovers in a span of nearly six minutes.

West and his teammates made it 34-12 at the close of the first quarter and later led by as many as 35 at 64-29 in the team’s most lopsided victory ever keeping the Bolts in strong contention for the semis with a 3-4 win-loss card.

Meralco refused to let Air21 get into the game, sending the Express on the brink of elimination at 1-5.

West poured in 34 points and also got seven rebounds, seven steals and five assists in a sterling performance leading the Bolts past the Express.

The four-year NBA veteran buckled down to work early, sparking their early breakaway behind a franchise record run.

West knocked in two free throws then scored on an array of shots in their 21-0 roll, equaling the sixth all-time longest unanswered run in league history. The all-time record is 32-0 by Ginebra San Miguel in Game Five of the 1991 first conference finals versus Shell.

“We’re so determined in this game hoping it would be enough to keep our hopes afloat,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“The goal is to have a clear passage into the next level. No less than a sweep is required. It’s a daunting task but makeable. We wanted a chance to finally be in the semis,” Gregorio added.