The Meralco Bolts sealed their first-ever semifinal appearance in franchise history as they pounded the weary Powerade Tigers in the second half to nail a 94-86 win in their do-or-die game of the 37th PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Playing their second game in two nights, the Tigers appeared a tired team in the second half and the Bolts were quick to capitalize, breaking the game wide open behind a telling 10-0 run to post the game’s biggest lead, 67-54.
The Bolts then survived Omar Sneed’s one-man show in the fourth and went on to clinch the last semifinal ticket.
Meralco thus joined earlier semifinalists Rain or Shine, Talk ’N Text, B-Meg, Barangay Ginebra and Petron Blaze.
Mario West showed the way for the Bolts with 26 points, while Mark Cardona had 24 markers. Reynel Hugnatan scored 13, while Sol Mercado donated 10.
Asi Taulava was also solid, finishing with 10 rebounds, nine points and three blocks for the Bolts, who actually trailed at the end of the first period, 18-25.
The Tigers, who survived a first sudden-death duel against Barako Bull last Tuesday night, tried to rally in the fourth behind Sneed, who scored 22 of his team-high 29 points in the fourth.
With Sneed doing it by his lonesome, the Tigers threatened within 86-90 with 1:32 left but wouldn’t score from that point on.
Powerade’s top local Gary David bucked a hurting left ankle to score 22 points. David, however, tapered off in the critical stretch of the game as he went cold after scoring 15 points in the opening period.
David missed the entire second half in Powerade’s win against Barako Bull after sustaining a sprained ankle.