By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Meralco Bolts got back to winning in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, defeating erstwhile streaking TNT KaTropa, 88-77, in their match at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Showing a no-quit attitude despite a poor start to the contest, Meralco successfully fought its way back in the game and did not relent on its attack when it got its steady groove in the second half to notch the win that improved it to 2-2 in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament while halting the two-game winning streak of TNT (2-3).
TNT went on a fast start, leaving Meralco in the dust, 13-0, in the first six minutes of the contest which it would eventually use to hold a 22-9 advantage after the opening quarter.
Jayson Castro jump-started the second frame with eight quick points to extend the KaTropa’s advantage to 21 points, 30-9, with just a minute lapsing.
But the Bolts, led by Jarred Dillinger and Ranidel de Ocampo, would respond with a 19-3 run of their own in the next seven minutes to narrow the gap at five points, 33-28.
Mr. Castro, however, did not allow a complete comeback by Meralco, towing his team to a 39-30 advantage by the halftime break.
In the third period, the Bolts would pick up from the momentum they got in the second frame.
On the lead of guard Baser Amer, they steadily clawed their way back, overtaking the KaTropa, 52-50 with 3:02 on the clock.
The two went back-and-forth after but the Bolts were not to be denied of a comeback in the period, holding a 63-58 lead heading into the payoff quarter.
Sensing it had TNT wobbled, Meralco opened the payoff quarter with an 8-0 blast to stretch their lead to 13 points, 71-58, at the 9:33 mark.
It further created distance, 79-60, with 4:50 to go as Messrs. Amer and Dillinger and Chris Newsome continued to find the mark.
The KaTropa tried desperately to make another ascent but just could not get the needed wind to propel them as they went on and bowed to the defeat.
Mr. Newsome paced the Bolts in the victory with 20 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists.
Mr. Amer had 17 points while Mr. Dillinger had 16.
Mr. De Ocampo and Nico Salva each had 11 points for Meralco.
For TNT it was Mr. Castro who led with 20 points followed by Roger Pogoy with 15 markers.
“Basically we stayed focus. We have been coming off slow in this conference, making it tough for us. But we have been showing our resilience. In this game heading into the half we knew we had to make adjustments. We talked about it and played different in the second half,” said Mr. Newsome, named player of the game, after their win.
Meralco returns on Feb. 2 versus the NLEX Road Warriors while TNT next plays on Feb. 3 against the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.

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