Bolts' coach Gregorio hopes new import, Mercado will energize team's Commissioner's Cup campaign

Meralco parades new import Earl Barron Sunday when it battles an inspired-Powerade side as action in the PBA Commissioner's Cup resumes at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Barron replaces Jarrid Famous, who could only steer the Bolts to a single victory in three games so far, in their 4:15 encounter against the Tigers. Barron, the NBA veteran who previously played for Red Bull in 2005, will not only be the latest addition to the Bolts' roster as shooting guard Sol Mercado has likewise been activated from the injured list. Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio said Barron and Mercado's presence will boost their bid in the short preliminary round where four teams will be eliminated outright. "(Barron and Mercado) will help us improve our roster depth," Gregorio said. "With six games left, it is critical that we have a full arsenal. We are fast-tracking our development and I hope that Earl and Sol can play solid right away with the rest of the team." But the Bolts will have to contend with a Tigers side still in cloud nine following its 122-120 come-from-behind win over Rain or Shine. Gary David, the league's scoring leader, buried the game-winning three-pointer to cap Powerade's comeback from 17 points down. Dwayne Jones is also a reliable reinforcement for the Tigers after tallying 34 points and 21 rebounds in debut on Philippine soil. Powerade coach Bo Perasol is taking a mindset that the Tigers' games are all playoff matches. "There should always be a sense of urgency on our part knowing that this is going to be a short tournament." The Tigers (1-0) currently share the early lead with idle Air21 and defending champion Talk 'N Text, which plays Alaska in the 6:30 p.m. second game. The Tropang Texters defeated the Bolts, 102-96, in their debut, but will be facing a team which coach Chot Reyes said has the most formidable backcourt in the league today. "We're playing a team with the two hottest guards in the league," Reyes said. "So our guards must be ready."   Reyes of course, is referring to Cyrus Baguio and L.A. Tenorio, who combined for 52 points as the Aces notched their second straight win in three outings with a 76-74 decision over Barangay Ginebra in Lucena City last week. Tenorio starred for the Aces' offense in that game as the former Ateneo Blue Eagle scored seven straight points—including a rare four-point play and the game-winning three-pointer—in the final 18 seconds that highlighted Alaska's memprable win. Eyews will also be on Talk 'N Text import Omar Samhan as he matches up with veteran Adam Parada. Samhan missed his first nine shots against Meralco, but recoverered in time to finish with 24 points and 20 rebounds. — JVP, GMA News