BOLTS CLAMP AIR21

The Meralco Bolts started the game like a house fire and did not relent till the final buzzer for an easy, 106-77 victory over the Air21 Express last night in the 37th PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts this kept their playoff bid alive, notching their third win in seven outings although they are still out of the top six.

Only six teams will qualify to the playoffs as four squads will be booted out after the nine-game elimination round.

The Bolts came out with their guns ablaze in the first period, quickly putting the game away from the Express’ reach when they closed the first quarter with a mammoth 34-21 lead.

It was a walk in the park from thereon for Meralco, which maintained double-digit leads the rest of the way, including 30-point leads in the third period.

Things turned for the worse for the Express in the third when one of their few key players Ogie Menor was ejected after committing a flagrant foul-penalty against Meralco’s import Mario West.

West led Meralco’s scoring with 34 points, while Macmac Cardona finished with 15 markers.

Veteran center Asi Taulava continued to play well for the Bolts with 11 markers.

Zach Graham put in another big numbers for the Express and finished with 36 points.

Graham’s big scoring game once again went to naught as the Express absorbed their fifth loss against a solitary win.

Renren Ritualo donated 12 points, while Mark Isip had 10 for the Express, who absorbed their fourth consecutive loss.

Air21’s lone win in the tournament came at the expense of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, 97-86, last May 26.

BOX SCORES

MERALCO (106)- West 34, Cardona 15, Taulava 11, Mercado 9, Macapagal 9, Bulawan 6, Reyes 6, Hugnatan 6, Ross 5, Yee 3, Aljamal 2, Ballesteros 0, Daa 0, Artadi 0.

AIR21 (77)- Graham 36, Ritualo 12, Isip 10, Arboleda 6, Omolon 5, Sena 2, Espiritu 2, Menor 2, Faundo 2, Bagatsing 0, Salamat 0, Sison 0, Escobal 0, Hubalde 0. QUARTERSCORES: 34-12, 64-35, 82-62, 106-77.