THE Meralco Bolts halted their losing skid in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday, defeating the Kia Picanto, 105-76, in their battle of struggling teams at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Using a strong surge in the second period, the Bolts created a considerable distance and stayed dominant the rest of the way to stop a three-game losing streak and improve to 2-3 in the season-opening Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) tournament.
The contest got off to a competitive start, with both teams making hay in the opening quarter.
Following a frenetic sequence of runs and counterruns, the Bolts would take the first frame, 27-21.
Meralco would crank things up to start the second canto, going on a 12-2 blast in the first four minutes to extend its lead to 16 points, 39-23.
Rashawn McCarthy and Mark Yee tried to rally back the Picanto but the Bolts would hold their ground and maintain control by the halftime break, 60-41.
In the third period, the two teams struggled to get their offensive game going, allowing the Bolts to continue holding sway and even adding to their lead, 79-58, by the end of the third canto.
Buried deep to start the payoff period, Kia tried to give its cause some spark.
Like much of the preceding periods though, the Bolts hardly lost step and rhythm, countering en route to coasting to the win, and sending the Picanto (1-5) to another loss after winning in their previous game.
Niño Canaleta showed the way for Meralco with 17 points and six rebounds.
Jared Dillinger had 13 while Anjo Caram finished with 12 points.
Messrs. McCarthy and Yee led Kia with 17 and 14 points, respectively.
“It was nice to see the players show up with more energy and played with more purpose especially on the defensive end. It is something we have been working on. Hopefully we get to sustain it in our next games. Overall, it was a good team effort,” said winning coach Norman Black after the game.
Meralco next plays on Sunday, Jan. 28, against the GlobalPort Batang Pier while Kia faces off with the TNT KaTropa on Wednesday, Jan. 31. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
