Meralco gives Petron rude welcome in PBA Governor’s Cup

THE UNDERMANNED Meralco Bolts extended the misery of the Petron Blaze Boosters (formerly San Miguel Beermen) by scoring a 105-100 triumph last night in the newly opened 36th PBA Governor’s Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Mark Isip punctured the hoops throughout the game, going 12-for-16 from the field to finish with a game-high 28 points.

Explosive import Champ Oguchi, who was retained by the Bolts after solid showing in the Commissioner’s Cup, also had a productive night with 26 points.

Solomon Mercado gave the Boosters more headache by firing 23 points. Renren Ritualo was the third Meralco player in double figures with 11 points as the Bolts overcame the absence of injured key player Macmac Cardona, Chris Ross and Marlou Aquino.

The Boosters had a forgettable campaign in the previous conference, where they were tagged as one of the favorites but failed to make it to the playoffs.

And with their import Ricky Harris scoring just eight points, the Boosters failed to stop the slide.

Alex Cabagnot and Jay Washington tried to make up for the lackluster performance of their import by scoring 18 points each but the Boosters still fell short.

Rabeh Al-Hussaini chipped in 16 markers, while Arwind Santos and Joseph Yeo contributed 12 and 11, respectively.

The Bolts led by as many as 21 points early in the fourth, 88-67, when Mercado hurt himself and left the floor.

The Booster staged a daring run with Cabagnot and Washington instigating an 18-5 run that brought their team to within six points, 90-96, with still six minutes to go.

Mercado was sent back and restored order for the Bolts, who kept the Boosters at bay to ice the victory. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA