Meralco Bolts barge into win column after crushing Air21
Games today
Mall of Asia Arena
5:45 p.m.- Alaska vs. Talk ‘N Text
8:00 p.m.- GlobalPort vs. Barangay Ginebra
Behind an electrifying second quarter attack, the Meralco Bolts finally chalked up their first win in emphatic fashion as they blasted the hapless Air21 Express, 112-79, last night in the 39th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
In recording just their first win after two straight defeats to start the tournament, the Bolts dealt the Express their worst loss in franchise history.
With the 33-point massacre, the Express further dropped to the bottom of the standings with their third loss in as many outings.
Former Air21 stalwart John Wilson led the Meralco carnage by firing a career-high 26 points on a four-of-four shooting from the three-point zone.
Meralco had a slim 16-15 lead after the first period but the six-foot-one guard caught fire in the pivotal second quarter where he fired 13 of his total output to power the Bolts to a big 54-36 halftime lead.
As if their seamless offense wasn’t enough, the Bolts also tightened up their defense as they shackled Air21 gunners Joseph Yeo and Nino Canaleta.
Yeo, who was good for 23 points a game prior to the match, was held to just 10 markers on a measly three-for-13 shooting from the field.
Canaleta likewise couldn’t get his game going as he finished with just three points, missing 11 of his 12 field goal attempts.
Renren Ritualo was the only other Express in double figures with 10.
In contrast, the Bolts had several players in double figures with Sunday Salvacion and Reynel Hugnatan scoring 15 each and Jared Dillinger and Rabeh Al-Hussaini adding 13 and 11, respectively.
BOX SCORES
MERALCO (112)- Wilson 26, Salvacion 15, Hugnatan 15, Dillinger 13, Al-Hussaini 11, Cortez 8, David 7, Caram 6, Guevarra 6, Omolon 4, Allado 1, Sena 0.
AIR21 (79)- Ritualo 12, Yeo 10, Menor 8, Sharma 8, Atkins 8, Manuel 8, Custodio 7, Taulava 6,(3/3) Canaleta 3, Jaime 2, Burtscher 2, Arboleda 2, Camson 2, Espiritu 1. QUARTERSCORES: 16-15; 54-36; 86-55; 112-79.
