Bolts 118, Titan 105

No more excuses. No more lethargic start. Only a little bit of a defensive breakdown, but it was enough for the Meralco Bolts to move on from an embarassing loss in their previous game.

The Bolts were mostly back to their old methodical ways in yanking Titan Ultra Giant Risers crashing back to earth with a wire-to-wire 118-105 win as the former got back on track in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last 29 March.

Marvin Jones and CJ Cansino rebounded in a big way from their so-so performances in a 102-109 loss to import-less Rain or Shine just last Friday with the import tallying 24 points and 14 rebounds and the latter notching 26 points.

In the end, however, the Bolts improved to a 3-1 record that gave it a share of second-running spot while dropping to 1-3 a Giant Risers crew that wanted to follow up its 112-119 upset of San Miguel Beer last week.

"Titan’s capable. Against San Miguel they had a 41-point quarter so parang sa kanila after getting that first win, they had no quit," said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, pleased with the win but at the same time critiquing his side’s efforts to match Titan’s quick pace in the final canto.

"We had bits of problems with that zone (defense). We were a little bit too quick in what we’re doing, we went up and down, and when you go at that pace you give the other team a chance to catch up," noted Trillo. "But we did enough."

More so on the defensive end as the Bolts limited Giant Risers import Michael Gilmore to a personal PBA-low 25 points, with 10 of those coming after the Bolts have practically sealed the game through a 106-89 lead.

Joshua Munzon was also limited to just nine points after his 29-point explosion against SMB and both he and Gilmore were riding the bench when Sajonia led a spirited comeback that whittled the deficit and brought Titan within 89-97.

Even after Bong Quinto’s charities pushed Meralco’s lead back up to 10, Titan had the chance to counter but what appeared to be a foul by Chris Newsome on a 3-point shooting Sajonia went uncalled.

With Giant Risers coach Rensy Bajar slapped a technical for vehemently complaining, Newsome’s charity sparked a 7-0 spurt by the Bolts that put the game practically beyond reach.