Ildefonso makes debut with Meralco today

Games today:

Mall of Asia Arena

3:30 p.m.- Talk ‘N Text vs. Alaska

5:45 p.m.- Meralco vs. Air21

WITH THEIR playoff bid hanging in the balance, the Meralco Bolts look to get some spark from a new acquisition as they take on the Air21 Express in today’s resumption of the 39th PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Bolts struck a deal with veteran center Danny Ildefonso, who was signed until the end of the season-opening conference.

The two-time Most Valuable Player spent his first 15 years with the Petron Blaze Boosters (then known as San Miguel Beer and Magnolia). The partnership was cut when Ildefonson was left unsigned in the off-season.

The Bolts ended 2013 on a sour note after they lost their last four games.

Meralco is tied for the eighth and ninth spots with the San Mig Coffee Mixers with identical 3-7 (win-loss) cards. The Express are at 10th and last with a 2-8 slate.

The bottom two teams after the first round will be eliminated.

Meralco is gunning for a repeat as they blew out Air21 in their initial meeting last Nov. 27, 112-79.

In the first game, the Alaska Aces shoot for their first back-to-back wins this conference as they battle the defending champions Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA