Games today
Araneta Coliseum
4:00 p.m.- Petron vs. Shopinas.com
6:15 p.m.- Alaska vs. Powerade
Chico Lanete provided the needed firepower to the lead the undermanned Meralco Bolts to an 84-78 win over the B-Meg Llamados last night in the 37th PBA Philippine Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Injured key players Mac-mac Cardona, Solomon Mercado and Chris Ross still failed to suit up for the Bolts but Lanete took it upon himself to deliver the much needed output as he erupted for 24 points.
Lanete also made his teammates look good, delivering nine assists and was also big in the defensive end with his three steals.
“Coach Ryan (Gregorio) reminded me to step up because of the absence of Cardona and Mercado. I really made sure to come out very focused for this game,” said Lanete.
The win hiked Meralco’s record to 2-1 (win-loss), joining the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the second spot of the standings.
The Llamados did not go down without a fight as they nearly wiped out a 12-point fourth quarter deficit behind a blistering 22-10 run.
The scorching run, spearheaded by James Yap, Kerby Raymundo and Mark Barroca, pushed the Llamados within 76-77 in the final 2:46.
Veteran center Asi Taulava and new recruit Mark Borboran came to Meralco’s rescue as the duo connived in a 5-2 blitz that gave the Bolts an 82-78 lead with 1:33 to play.
The Llamados didn’t score from that point on as the Bolts clamped down on defense to seal the upset win.
The loss prevented the Llamados from registering their win streak of the season and instead fell to 1-2.
The Llamados started the tournament with a 69-73 loss to the Petron Blaze Boosters before nailing their first victory against the Alaska Aces last, 81-75.