Bolts stay in contention, trounce Elasto Painters

Import Earl Barron and Mark Cardona teamed up in leading the Meralco Bolts to a crucial 93-84 win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last night in the 37th PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.

Barron scored 29 points and had 22 rebounds, while Cardona scored 25 points as the duo helped the Bolts secure back-to-back wins after upsetting the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 89-80, last week.

The win kept the Bolts in the hunt for a playoff berth, tallying their third win in seven games to move up to seventh place. Meralco still has two games left.

The number seven to 10 teams after the elimination round will be eliminated.

Reynel Hugnatan finished with 16 points, while Gabby Espinas netted 12 for the Bolts, who closed the first quarter with a big 30-18 lead and took full control of the game the rest of the way.

Duke Crews had 21 markers for the Painters, who further dropped to the bottom of the standings with their third straight setback and fifth overall in six outings.

The loss made the Painters a candidate for an early exit.

Rain or Shine has not won a game since defeating the Barako Bull Energy, 99-95, last Feb. 23.

Paul Lee backed Crews with 21 points, while Ronjay Buenafe added 12.

BOX SCORES

MERALCO (93)- Barron 29, Cardona 25, Hugnatan 16, Espinas 12, Ross 5, Mercado 4, Macapagal 2, Timberlake 0, Borboran 0, Taulava 0.

RAIN OR SHINE (84) – Crews 21, Lee 13, Buenafe 12, Norwood 8, Quinahan 8, Cruz 4, Chan 4, Ibanes 4, Matias 3, Belga 3, Tang 2, Arana 2.