Bolts limp to playoffs as Elite closes conference on high note

MANILA, Philippines – As good as the Meralco Bolts were to open the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, it’s been the exact opposite at the end of the elimination round.

With an 82-74 loss against league cellar-dweller Blackwater Elite on Wednesday, March 25, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the Bolts suffered their third straight defeat and fifth overall in their last 6 contests.

Meralco, who opened the conference at 5-0, finishes their campaign with a 6-5 record, putting them in a best-of-three series against the NLEX Road Warriors in the quarterfinal round of the Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

“Going into this game, regardless of being already eliminated, we just wanted to continue on gaining more experience, learning more, and I just told my players to just give their 100%, give their very best,” Elite head coach Leo Isaac said during the post-game presser.

“And this is part of the building process that we are undergoing and hopefully we can continue this into the third conference.”

Marcus Douthit recorded 27 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks to lead Blackwater to their second win this conference, while JP Erram had 21 points on 10-of-13 shooting and 7 rebounds to lead the locals.

Meralco import Josh Davis was suffocated by Blackwater’s defense all game, going just 3-of-15 from the field with 11 points and 20 boards. Jared Dillinger recorded 15 points, while Mike Cortez put up 13 markers and 6 boards.

The match was decided in the third period, where the Elite’s defense allowed the Bolts to score just 6 points. By the time both squads entered the fourth period, the lead of Blackwater was already up to 20, 66-46.

A three-pointer by John Wilson and breakaway dunk by Dillinger trimmed their opponents’ advantage to 75-62 midway through the fourth quarter, but a flagrant foul on James Sena quelled his team’s momentum and awarded two easy points at the foul line for Douthit.

Not long after, Erram racked up 7 straight points before fouling out to put his team ahead 84-67, sealing the win.

Due to their low finish in the Philippine Cup conference and Commissioner’s Cup, Blackwater will be one of the 4 teams able to utilize an import with unlimited height for the Governors’ Cup. The team’s coaches and management plans to meet on Friday, per Isaac, to discuss their plans.

“At the moment, wala pang decision, pero (no decision yet, but) management will meet will coaches on Friday, so hopefully by Friday afternoon, may decision na on who we’re going to tap as the import for the third conference,” he said.

PBA squads will be allowed to use an Asian import – granted he’s 6-foot-3 or below and FIBA-eligible – for the Governors’ Cup too, and the Elite is currently looking at a prospect from the Middle East.

“He will be a new name,” was all Isaac said.

Reil Cervantes, who the Elite acquired in a trade with the KIA Carnival this week, made his debut with Blackwater, finishing with 13 points and 4 rebounds in 29:34 minutes.

“There was this deal with KIA – KIA wanted to get Alex Nuyles and we asked that we get Reil Cervantes, so both teams agreed,” explained Isaac.

“Maybe playing for Blackwater, he can blossom into a star.”

The Bolts threw the ball away 22 times and was outscored in the paint, 44-36. Meralco shot just 33% from the field and allowed Blackwater to make 46% of their attempts.

Meralco only had 9 assists, and led for a total of just one minute and one second.

Scores:

Blackwater (84) – Douthit 27, Erram 21, Cervantes 13, Heruela 7, Acuna 6, Bulawan 5, Gamalinda 3, Laure 2, Timberlake 0, Reyes 0, Golla 0

Meralco (72) – Dillinger 15, Anthony 13, Cortez 13, Davis 11, Wilson 7, Ferriols 5, Caram 3, Reyes 2, David 2, Buenafe 1, Ildefonso 0, Sena 0, Hugnatan 0, Macapagal 0

Quarter Scoring: 26-23, 50-40, 66-46, 84-72

– Rappler.com