Meralco nips Blackwater in OT

CEBU, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts needed an extra period for a second straight game but came up on top yet again as they escaped expansion team Blackwater, 83-75, in PBA Philippine Cup action on Tuesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

Meralco was forced into another overtime after squandering a 19-point lead in the second half but gunner John Wilson came up big for them, scoring all nine of his points in the extra period to help seal the win.

The Bolts improved to 2-0 for the season while handing the Elite their third straight loss.

Cliff Hodge carried the team with 26 points and 18 rebounds but it was Wilson, who failed to score a single point in regulation, who starred in overtime.

Blackwater gunner Bam Gamalinda scored the first two points of overtime before Meralco responded with five straight points to take the lead back.

Wilson hit a booming three-pointer to give the Bolts a 73-72 lead. On the next possession, Wilson dived to save the ball from going out of bounds and Sean Anthony did the same, finding a streaking Mike Cortez for an easy fastbreak layup to make it 75-72 for Meralco.

Wilson then hit another three off a ballscreen to give Meralco a more comfortable six-point lead, 78-72 with 2:30 left in the extra period.

Blackwater star Alex Nuyles had a chance to cut the lead down after getting fouled shooting a three, but could only hit one of his free throw tries.

Wilson then added a free throw and a fastbreak layup to make it 81-73 for the Bolts with a minute remaining.

Rey Guevarra was the only other Meralco player in double figures with 10 points.

Blackwater started off with an 8-7 lead before Hodge and Guevarra scored all the points in an 11-0 run that swung the game decisively in Meralco’s favor, 18-8.

Later in the period, the Elite got to as close as four points after back-to-back hits from Ogie Menor before the Bolts got it back to six at the end of the first, 26-20.

Hodge scored 12 of his total in the first period.

With the other Bolts contributing on offense, Meralco extended its lead in the second period. — InterAKTV.com) (FREEMAN)