Bolts hang on, hand Hotshots' first loss; Beermen rout Painters

MANILA, Philippines, October 20 ------ The Meralco Bolts lost an 18-point lead but made key plays down the stretch to win their third straight game in the PBA Philippine Cup at the expense of Magnolia, 78-76, as they handed LA Tenorio his first defeat as head coach.

The Bolts, playing in their third game in five days, held on against the gritty Hotshots as they now turn their attention to their EASL game in Japan later this week. CJ Cansino continued his dazzling display this season with 23 points, six rebounds and four blocks, including a crucial one against Jerom Lastimosa. Aaron Black backstopped with 17 points.

After a slow start that saw them trail by as much as 18 points, 25-7, the Hotshots dug out of the hole and made it a manageable 10-point game, 55-65, at the 6:34 mark of the fourth after an and-one play by Cansino. Lastimosa and Hodge then teamed up for seven straight points to cut the deficit to three, 62-65, with less than five minutes remaining. Cliff Hodge and Bong Quinto answered with consecutive baskets to keep Meralco’s lead, 69-62.

Mark Barroca, Lastimosa and Lucero, however, combined for a 10-2 run that pushed Magnolia ahead. Cansino, though, hit a bankshot over the outstretched arms of Lucero to give Meralco the lead anew, 73-72, with 31.2 seconds left. Magnolia went to Lastimosa on the other end, but he was blocked by Cansino off the spin.

The game turned into a free throw contest down the stretch. But a split from the line by Quinto gave Magnolia a last chance to tie or win the game with 8.9 seconds left. Lastimosa took matters into his own hands, stepping back from the left elbow and launching a 3-pointer. His triple was straight, but it clanked off the rim as time expired. Quinto had 11 points for Meralco, to go with six rebounds and three assists. Lastimosa tallied 22 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Hotshots. Lucero had 14 markers and six boards, but he had six turnovers.

In the first game of the day, defending champions San Miguel Beermen finally won their first game of the season after blasting the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 111-93.

CJ Perez provided the spark off the bench with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists to go with two steals. Marcio Lassiter chipped in 18 markers and six boards, while big man June Mar Fajardo had 17 points, 14 boards, four dimes, two steals and a swat. Adrian Nocum powered Rain or Shine with 17 points, while Gian Mamuyac and Jhonard Clariot had 16 points apiece. Stanley Pringle had 11 points in his debut as an Elasto Painter.

Rain or Shine dropped to 1-1 while the Beermen rose to 1-2.

Source: philstar.com