THE MERALCO Bolts bucked a slow start to eke out a 79-72 win over the Shopinas.com Clickers last night in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts could only produced nine points in the first quarter and nursed a slim 32-31 lead at the break.
Gabby Espinas and Mark Macapagal got things going for Meralco in the third period, providing the needed points as the Bolts took sizable lead heading into the fourth and never looked back.
Espinas spearheaded the Bolts with 16 points, while Macapagal scored 14. Mark Isip finished with 11 points and Mark Yee had 10 for the Bolts, who barged into the win column after starting the tournament with a blowout loss to the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters, 80-98.
Paolo Hubalde erupted for a game-high 21 points but did not get enough support from his teammate as no other Clicker scored in double figures.
Renren Ritualo was limited to just seven points after scoring 19 in Shopinas.com’s 87-98 loss last week. The Clickers are still looking for that first win as the newest member of the league.
BOX SCORES
MERALCO (79)- Espinas 16, Macapagal 14, Isip 11, Yee 10, Lanete 8, Taulava 7, Borboran 6, Timberlake 5, Omolon 2, Ballesteros 0.
SHOPINAS.COM (72) – Hubalde 21, Menor 9, Sena 7, Duncil 7, Ritualo 7, Mirza 6, Se 6, Hermida 4, Sison 2, Jazul 2, Canlas 1, Espiritu 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 9-11, 32-31, 58-52, 79-72./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA