By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Reporter

THE Meralco Bolts got the better of the Star Hotshots anew in Game Two of their best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup semifinal affair last night in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. But unlike in the series-opener where they came from behind for the win, the Bolts were every bit dominant in the second game en route to winning, 98-74, and moving a win away from making a return trip to the finals.

While in the previous game they struggled to get their game going at the onset, the Bolts were in synch right from the start in Game Two.

Behind the hot shooting of the trio of import Allen Durham, Baser Amer and Chris Newsome, Meralco raced to a 30-11 lead at the end of the opening quarter.

Star competed better in the second period but Meralco stayed commanding, answering everything that the Hotshots threw at it and maintained a 21-point lead at the halftime break, 53-32.

The Meralco onslaught continued in the third frame, staying ahead of Star on both ends of the court.

Seldom-used player Alvin Abundo tried to infuse some energy and firepower for Star but it was hardly enough to deter the charge of the Bolts, who built their biggest lead of 30 points, 73-43, at one point.

The Bolts kept the same distance at the end of the third quarter, 78-48.

Star started the final quarter with a 14-3 run in the first three minutes to cut its deficit to 19 points, 81-62.

Meralco, though, was quick to nip the rally in the bud, scoring seven straight points thereafter to create more distance, 88-62, by the 5:42 mark before coasting to the win the rest of the way.

Mr. Durham, Jarred Dillinger and Ranidel De Ocampo each had 18 points to lead Meralco while Mr. Durham added 25 rebounds, five assists and three blocks.

Mr. Amer had 16 points and eight assists in their resounding victory.

Mark Barroca, meanwhile, had 16 points to lead Star while Mr. Abundo finished with 14 points.

Import Kris Acox had another subpar game of nine points and 12 rebounds for the Hotshots, who saw guard Paul Lee play limited minutes because of a knee injury.

“Coach [Norman Black] told us not to have repeat of the bad start we had in the first game. So we just did our best, especially the first group, to set the tone for the game,” said Mr. De Ocampo, named player of the game, after their win.

“We are now up 2-0 in the series but we don’t want to be complacent. We have to continue playing hard and be ready for the next game,” he added.

The Bolts have a chance to complete a sweep of the series and advance to the championship in Game Three on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ranidel de Ocampo and the Meralco Bolts are now up 2-0 in their best-of-five PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series with the Star Hotshots after a resounding 98-74 Game Two win last night. — ALVIN S. GO

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