Streaking NLEX, Meralco break tie

MANILA, Philippines — NLEX and Meralco have taken a similar route in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup so far.

Both squads got off to identical 2-0 starts then dropped their third assignments before countering with three straight Ws on their way to joint second at 5-1.

And tonight, it’s time for the rampaging crews to go their separate ways, with the winner moving just one adrift spotless leader Rain or Shine (7-0) and taking a step closer to the playoffs.

“Meralco is always a tough team to play. They’ve got bigs, they’ve got guards that can score and they can defend also,” said NLEX coach Jong Uichico.

The 7:30 p.m. tiff at Ynares Center-Montalban serves as a reunion of sorts for the Bolts and NLEX reinforcement Cady Lalanne.

Before the conference started, the Road Warriors loaned the 6-foot-10 Lalanne to Meralco in the latter’s campaign in the East Asia Super League. Lalanne scored 18 points in the Bolts’ 79-88 loss to Ryukyu, where he helped a late run that nearly erased the Japanese club’s 20-point lead.

“They’re a good team and we have to be prepared to play them. They got great players over there,” said Lalanne.

“I played with them so I know some of the guys and I kind of feel I have an idea what they’re going to do defensively to me, too.”