Meralco Bolts vs Petron Blaze Boosters

MANILA, Philippines – Mario West drove past three defenders for the winning basket in the closing seconds as Meralco closed out its campaign in the 2011-12 PBA season on a winning note, eking out a 113-112 squeaker over Petron Blaze at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

West defied the defense of Jay Washington, Chris Lutz and Arwind Santos, scoring on an acrobatic layup as the Bolts pulled off the win to forge a tie with the Boosters at 6-8 (win-loss) at the end of their Governors Cup campaigns.

Meralco wound up with a 20-23 record in the season, a big improvement from its 13-20 mark in its debut season in the local pro loop last year.

Petron, meanwhile, ended up with a 23-23 slate, the franchise’s worst in the last four seasons or since finishing with a 24-24 card in the 2007-08 season.

The Boosters’ mediocre performance in the season sparked talks of the possible exit of coach Ato Agustin next season.

A certain San Miguel Corp. official said they would consider tapping in the services of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman to take over from Agustin. Toroman currently serves as consultant of all three SMC teams in the PBA.

“We definitely enjoyed this game. The goal was to end the season on a high note, and we did,” said coach Ryan Gregorio whose troops won their last two games in the season versus the B-Meg Llamados and the Boosters.

“Talking about progress, we did improve from the previous one. I’m giving myself three days of rest, then I’ll start formulating to get the team even better next season,” Gregorio also said.

The youthful Meralco mentor said they would certainly find ways to improve their roster power.

The Bolts took control most of the way but needed West’s big shot at the end to avoid what could have been a sorry loss.

Alex Cabagnot scattered 29 points, including a booming three-pointer that capped a key Petron run sending the Boosters ahead, 112-111, with 5.7 ticks left.

West, however, won’t let his teammates down.

“He had two options. One was to create for his teammates or go strong to the basket. He chose the latter and made the final statement for us,” said Gregorio of his import who preserved his explosive 41-point game.

The Kings waged a determined chase from a 14-point deficit at 91-105, pulling even at 107-all on a three-point play by Lutz with 2:12 left to play.

The Bolts regained some breathing room as Mark Cardona canned in two charities then Sol Mercado pumped in a 20-footer to beat the 24-second shot clock buzzer in the ensuing plays.

Still, the Boosters threatened to steal the game, 112-111, as Cabagnot made a five-point swing capped by a trey off West.

West had the last laugh in the end, though.