Bolts Set Tone, Secure Game 1

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco proved its sweep-stopping takedown of San Miguel Beer back in the eliminations was no fluke. And the Bolts did an encore in a gut-wrenching battle for a 1-0 headstart against the defending champions in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup finals.

Showing a lot of poise and grit for a debutant in the All-Filipino Last Dance, the fired-up Bolts overcame an early 10-point deficit and outduelled the Beermen, 93-86, last night in the series opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Heroes came aplenty for the troops of coach Luigi Trillo, who obviously gained lots of confidence from their previous 95-92 upset of SMB last month.

Chris Newsome (18), Chris Banchero (18), Bong Quinto (15) and Allein Maliksi took charge on the assault while Cliff Hodge (14 rebounds with seven markers), Raymond Almazan (8-7) and Brandon Bates (four blocks and four rebounds) presided over the stifling defense and hustle plays, especially against SMB giant June Mar Fajardo.

The Bolts held SMB to only 35 in the second half after a 51-point outburst in the first 24 minutes. Trillo and Co. unleashed a 23-14 finishing kick to create separation in the fourth quarter en route to the massive opening victory in the race-to-four contest.

Momentum on their side, the Bolts go for 2-0 tomorrow also at the Big Dome.

Fajardo finished with 23 with 10 rebounds while CJ Perez shot 20 but couldn’t help the Beermen overcome Meralco’s late storm and Terrence Romeo’s absence due to calf injury.

“We felt in the first half we weren’t doing the game plan. In the second half, we’re able to do what we wanted to do and stop them from doing what they wanted,” said Trillo.