Meralco adds Rain or Shine to list of champion victims

MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts struck with an improbable treble against the PBA’s three reigning champs, completing the rousing feat on their 82-76 conquest of PBA Governors Cup titleholder Rain or Shine at the Mall of Asia Arena Friday night.

In eight days, Meralco turned the tables on all-Filipino titlist Talk n Text, Commissioner’s Cup champion Alaska Milk then Rain or Shine to zoom to solo second behind frontrunner Petron Blaze nearing the homestretch of the short eliminations of the season-ending tourney.

The Bolts dug deep to get away with the hat trick against the league champs, working hard defensively to limit the three to an average of 78.6 points.

They were at it versus Rain or Shine, holding the Elasto Painters scoreless in the last 1:52 of play.

The Bolts shackled down the E-Painters on defense and went to John Wilson and Cliff Hodge for the baskets clinching their fourth against two losses.

The Elasto Painters, winners of this tourney versus the San Mig Coffee Mixers last year, fell to fourth place at 3-3.

“We really dug deep to find ways to win. It was against a defensive struggle and that’s the only way to win it,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

“With great effort comes great reward. We’re not satisfied. We still want to continue to climb up the ladder with defense as our strongest armor,” Gregorio also said.

Meralco pulled the rug from under Rain or Shine in holding the E-Painters to 35.2 percent shooting.

Import Arizona Reid got his points with 22 but not the key ROS locals. Curiously, defender Jireh Ibanes was the only other E-Painter who finished in double figure with 18.

Wilson fired away three treys as Meralco seized the early initiative, and the 5-foot-11 also buried clutch free throws to ice their win.

The former Jose Rizal U hitman finished with solid all-around effort of 18 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal, among his finest games since his transfer from Air21.

“We’re already tired playing a third game in almost a week. But our determination was still there,” said Wilson.

Hodge was also a big factor, delivering 17 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

The E-Painters were still trying to stay in the fight when Hodge swatted away a layup by Jeff Chan.

The main object of Rain or Shine’s own defensive stand, Mario West contributed only 17 points and six rebounds.