PBA: Meralco gets act together in time to turn back Titan Ultra

Meralco averted a fourth-quarter meltdown, repelling a furious rally by Titan en route to an 118-105 win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts led by as many as 28 before the Giant Risers mounted a fourth-quarter uprising. Meralco then held its ground under pressure to seal the win and bounce back from its previous loss to all-Filipino Rain or Shine last Friday.

CJ Cansino, who was held to just 13 points last game, came alive this time by pumping in a team-high 26 points laced with six rebounds, five assists, and a steal while import Marvin Jones finished with 24 markers, 14 boards, and three dimes before fouling out with 1:37 left in the game.

Bong Quinto, who helped fuel their late pullaway, posted 15 points while Jason Brickman and Javee Mocon chipped in 13 and 11 markers each.

"Titan's capable. I mean against San Miguel, they had a 41-point quarter. Parang sa kanila, after getting that first win, they had no quit," Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo said.

"We had a bit of a problem in that zone. We're a little bit too quick in what we were doing and when you go at that pace, you give the other team catch up but we did enough."

Meralco opened the final period enjoying a comfortable 89-65 lead before a Mocon basket saw the Bolts holding to a 95-76 cushion early in the fourth.

Titan Ultra leaned on rookie guard Bryan Sajonia, who ignited an 11-0 blitz with a four-point play, a clutch three-pointer, and a layup off a Fran Yu pass to pull the Giant Risers within eight, 95–87.

The Bolts then responded with an 11-2 rampage highlighted by a Cansino jumper followed by a quick steal and a dunk from Quinto as they raced to a 106-89 lead with 3:10 left. 

Titan Ultra's reinforcement Michael Gilmore tried to lead another fightback seven straight points, but Chris Newsome, Quinto, and Cansino capitalized at the free-throw line to seal the victory.

The loss spoiled a career-high outing from Sajonia after the former San Beda standout erupted for 29 points on 5-of-8 shooting from three-point area. 

Scores:

Meralco 118 – Cansino 26, Jones 24, Quinto 15, Brickman 13, Mocon 11, Banchero 9, Newsome 8, Black 6, Maliksi 3, Hodge 2, Almazan 1, Magbuhos 0.

Titan Ultra 105 – Sajonia 29, Gilmore 25, Munzon 9, Balanza 9, Cuntapay 8, Yu 8, Flores 7, Dionisio 4, Ular 4, Javillonar 2, Caralipio 0, Omega 0, Pessumal 0, Melecio 0.

Quarters: 26-16, 61-42, 89-65, 118-105.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News