Late run propels Meralco past skidding Barako

Meralco used a telling run in the second half in pulling off an 83-75 triumph over Barako Bull Wednesday night in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.   The Bolts—behind Asi Taulava, Sol Mercado and Mark Isip’s collective efforts—scored 13 unanswered points bridging the third and fourth quarters to break away from a tight 50-50 contest and take a 63-50 lead.   The Energy cut down the lead to five in the final 23 seconds, but Sol Mercado’s free throws allowed the Bolts to walk away with the team’s seventh win in 11 outings.   “This is the best 11 games this young franchise has played," said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio later as his team looks assured of a quarterfinals berth.   Mark Cardona led the way for the Bolts with 17 points, Gabby Espinas scored 16 while and Taulava tallied 12 and 10 apiece.   Taulava, the former league MVP, also grabbed 16 rebounds and was responsible for the Bolts’ resurgence in the second half.   “As a veteran, I told the team that I was not happy with the way we ended the (first) half," he said of the center court huddle he initiated just before the Bolts went to their locker room at the turn. “I told them that we have to be competitive for 48 full minutes."   Although Meralco started out strong in the third, the Bolts only controlled the game when they came through with that 13-0 exchange.   Paul Artadi’s basket tied the match for the last time, 50-all, and the Energy went silent for the next five minutes.   Willie Miller and Mick Pennisi finished with 14 points each to pace the Energy, who lost for the third straight game for an even 5-5 record. — JVP, GMA News