Bolts get back on their feet, rout Giant Risers
Meralco took to heart the lessons learned from a stinging loss to an import-less side and got back on the winning track in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Bolts not just won, they won in a big way after sending the Titan Ultra Giant Risers crashing back to earth with a 118-105 decision on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was a huge response for Meralco, which improved to 3-1 in the midseason conference, after failing to capitalize on the absence of Rain or Shine import Jaylen Johnson due to suspension and were defeated, 109-102.
“What we saw during our viewing session was that we didn’t give our 100 percent effort against Rain or Shine,” Bolts sophomore wingman CJ Cansino said after dropping a conference-high 26 points.
“We realized that we can’t play the same way in our upcoming games and that was our motivation,” he went on. “It not only woke us up, it humbled us because we came into that game with a 2-0 record, thinking that we can just show up since the other team had no import.”
Cansino, import Marvin Jones and the rest of the Bolts went on a big start and never looked back, eventually widening the gap to a high of 28 points in the second half before dusting off a last-ditch comeback try by the Giant Risers in the fourth.
Rookie Bryan Sajonia, playing just his fourth game in the big league, came up with 29 points in a gallant effort before Titan went down in defeat.
Titan Ultra dropped to 1-3 as it was unable to post a follow-up of its shock upset of San Miguel Beer nine days earlier.
“[Meralco active consultant Nenad Vucinic] kinda spoke to the boys a bit about that game against Rain or Shine and we wanted our team back,” coach Luigi Trillo said. “It didn’t seem like that (loss to) Rain or Shine is something that we’re proud of, so it’s nice that the guys responded.”
Jones finished with 24 points and 14 rebounds after failing to score in the second half against the Elasto Painters.
Bong Quinto came up with arguably his most productive game of the conference with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists which turned out to be crucial for Meralco as well.
