PBA: Bolts arrest 3-game slide, foil Kings' bid to grab top spot

Meralco survived Ginebra's final gallant assault in the stretch to prevail, 89-80, and snap a three-game skid in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Mark Cardona torched the Kings with 25 points on 9-of-18 shooting and collected nine rebounds for the Bolts, who improved their record to 2-4 while in the process foiled the Kings' (3-2) bid to grab the top ranking. Cardona presided over Meralco's first-half comeback from a 12-point deficit and gamely played with the predominantly Ginebra crowd at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Import Earl Barron kept Meralco afloat in the midst of Ginebra's searing rally, led by Jackson Vroman and the rest of the Kings, going home. He finished with a game-high 27 points. Sol Mercado also had an explosive night with 17 markers for the Bolts, who ended a three-game slide. "We treated this game like a do-or-die (match) for the team," said Cardona, who at one time in the game, covered his ears with his hands as the Ginebra faithful rained a chorus of jeers down on him. "We knew if we lost this game it will be hard for us to enter the quarterfinals," Cardona added. Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio pointed out how potent the team is with Cardona and Mercado hitting their strides. "Making Mac and Sol work together can bring wonders." At the same time, Gregorio credited Jong Uichico, the former Ginebra coach, for the important win. "Coach Jong was a big help," he said of the multi-titled coach, who was tapped as Meralco consultant during the season break after ending his 30-year partnership with the San Miguel Group of Companies. The Kings suffered their second loss in five outings, and failed in their bid to grab the lead owned by defending champion Talk 'N Text. A Ginebra win, coupled by a Texters loss earlier, could have pushed the Kings on top of the standings. Vroman, playing hard despite in foul trouble in the second half, paced the Kings with 19 points. He and Mark Caguioa brought the Kings back from a 66-50 deficit early in the fourth to within 83-79 inside the final two minutes. But the Bolts made four straight free throws, including two by Cardona, to raise the lead back to 87-79 with 16 seconds left. — JVP, GMA News Scores: