West, Bolts handcuff streak-shooting Tigers

MANILA, Philippines - Mario West scored all but one of his 29 points in the first three quarters then Sol Mercado poured in all of his 15 in the payoff period as Meralco drubbed Powerade, 91-78, and improved to joint fourth in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Mercado caught fire at the finish, outscoring the entire Powerade team in the final canto as the Bolts chalked up a third win in their last four outings and fourth in eight games overall.

West deferred to Mercado offensively in the crunch but made an impact defensively, limiting Gary David to two points after making 18 in the first 36 minutes of play.

The former Atlanta Hawk and New Jersey Net anchored Meralco’s overall team defense, holding Powerade 15 points below its average (102.7) before the game.

The Tigers are the tournament’s best scoring team, the only squad averaging more than 100 a game.

“We knew all along that if we really wanted to beat Powerade, it should be with our lockdown mentality,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“Good thing we have an import with much pride defending. Gary David is good but he’s not better than a Tyreke (Evans), a (Dwyane) Wade and a LeBron (James). These are the players he used to defend,” said Gregorio.

The Tigers were held to their lowest output in a game in the last two conferences, suffering a second straight loss and moving down to 4-4.

Meralco and Powerade close out their elims stints versus Barako Bull and B-Meg, respectively. They need to win to seal entry into the semis.

“Our chances are very encouraging. We’ve got two straight wins and the other teams are falling down. We’re encouraged our destiny still lies in our hands,” said Gregorio.

Saving his best for last, Mercado kept firing in the fourth quarter, fueling a run that had Meralco pulling away from a 68-66 edge after the third period.

The two teams fought through 10 lead changes and one deadlock before Mercado carried the Bolts ahead at 84-69.

“I told Sol to be patient as (the Powerade) defense will eventually loosen up. It did, and Sol bailed us out and secured win No. 4 for us,” said Gregorio.

Talk n Text’s second group held its own against Barangay Ginebra’s main men at the finish, and the Texters sustained their charge, topping the Kings, 113-111, to jump from sixth place to third in the nightcap.

Jason Castro, Larry Fonacier and Ranidel de Ocampo played big off the bench, delivering the killer shots at endgame as the Texters chalked up a fourth win in seven outings.

Mercado went 6-of-11 (6-of-8 in the fourth) from the field and also logged six assists, three rebounds and one steal in 27 minutes of play.

West, meanwhile, took three steals and made three blocks to underscore his solid defensive effort.

Omar Sneed also had impressive numbers with 23 points, 17 rebounds and five assists against two turnovers.

Sneed suffered a second straight loss after four wins since taking over from Rashad McCants.

NOTES: After being away for nearly two years, Nic Belasco resurfaced in the local pro league, joining the Powerade squad. The 1997 second overall draftee played 14 minutes and produced four points, four rebounds, one steal and one block in his initial outing with the Tigers. He’s the second oldest player in the current PBA roster, a few months younger than Asi Taulava who turned 39 last March.

The scores:

First Game

Meralco 91 – West 29, Mercado 15, Cardona 15, Hugnatan 14, Taulava 7, Bulawan 6, Macapagal 3, Ross 2, Reyes 0.

Powerade 78 – Sneed 23, David 20, Guevarra 12, Casio 6, Al-Hussaini 4, Belasco 4, Anthony 3, Lingganay 2, Salvador 2, Adducul 2, Vanlandingham 0, Tugade 0.

Quarterscores: 21-24, 43-42, 68-66, 91-78

Second Game

Talk n Text 113 – Harris 30, De Ocampo 21, Fonacier 19, Castro 18, Aguilar 10, Alapag 5, Reyes 3, Williams 3, Aban 2, Peek 2.

Ginebra 111 – Bozeman 32, Caguioa 32, Ababou 7, Wilson W. 7, Helterbrand 7, Hatfield 7, Cortez 6, Canaleta 4, Villanueva 4, Maierhofer 3, Raymundo 2, Menk 0.

Quarterscores: 27-24, 54-47, 83-78, 113-111