Source : In The Zone
Date : November 14, 2010
By: Rick Olivares
The Meralco Bolts got a huge mega-watt charge with the return of Mac Cardona into action after being out for two weeks with an ankle injury.
Cardona scored 23 points including seven big ones in the final 90 seconds of play to outlast hardluck Air21 Express 95-93. The former La Salle Green Archer hit a triple from the top of the arc that gave Meralco the lead for good 92-91 with 1:04 left. He followed that with a fade away jumper over the outstretched arms of Ronjay Buenafe 81 seconds later to give his squad some breathing room at 94-91.
Buenafe atoned for a missed three-point attempt by picking Cardona’s pocket for a lay-up with 15 seconds left. Rookie Hans Thiele added the marginal point as Air21 was unable to get a good shot off with Buenafe well guarded from the three-point line.
The win gave the Bolts their first-ever two-game win streak in league history (they beat Alaska 83-71 in Victorias City, Negros Occidental last November 6) and a 4-5 record to move from out of the bottom into the middle of the pack.
“That’s how big that win was,” said victorious coach Ryan Gregorio. “One win and you’re in the middle of the pack. One loss and you’re in the cellar. That’s how competitive it is this Philippine Cup.”
It wasn’t only the return of Cardona that boosted Meralco. Gregorio also attributes the acquisition of forward Thiele from Barako Bull as a big pick up for them for the former University of the East Red Warrior’s ability to hit the outside shot and his penchant for hauling down those rebounds. “That’s something we need since we don’t have Asi Taulava (who is at the moment with Smart Gilas in the ongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou, China).”
The two-game win streak also coincides with the addition of Thiele and the call up of Chris Pacana who was on the reserve list. Thiele added 16 points in Meralco’s winning cause over Air21 on top of six boards. Since his arrival, the 6’5” forward has averaged 14.0 points and 7.0 rebounds for Gregorio.
Pacana has added some backcourt depth to Meralco and scoring sock. The former St. Francis of Assisi Dove who was born in California, USA, tallied eight points, two rebounds, and four assists.
“I think our defense is getting better.” explained Gregorio. “It’s a part of our growth as a team.”
Cardona seemed a little tuckered at certain points of the game but he was just glad to be able to contribute. “Okay naman makapag-contribute ng ganito na kababalik lang. Makakatulong yan sa confidence ko.” Entering the match, Cardona was the sixth leading scorer in the Philippine Cup with a 16.8-point average.
Air21 rookie Rabeh Al-Hussaini kept his team in the game with 20 points and seven rebounds. His missed shot preceded Cardona’s triple that gave Meralco the lead.
Boxscores:
Meralco 95 – Cardona 23, Thiele 16, Gamalinda 9, Ross 9, Espinas 9, Pacana 8, Aquino 8, Weinstein 5, Omolon 4, Menor 2, Belga 2
Air21 93 – Al-Hussaini 20, Buenafe 17, Quiñahan 15, Matias 11, Urbiztondo 7, Baclao 6, Najorda 6, Gonzales 2, Sharma 3, Arboleda 2, Guevarra 0, Arellano 0, Rodriguez 0
