THE MERALCO Bolts bucked a slow start but righted their ship in time to beat the Kia Carnival, 90-80, for their second straight victory in as many games in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup yesterday at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
Gary David waxed hot in the final quarter to the tune of nine points and a total of 25 spiked by four triples while import Josh Davis added 19.
Former Ateneo standout Jai Reyes stepped up in the absence of starting point guard Mike Cortes and contributed a complete line of 16 points, four rebounds and four assists.
The Bolts found themselves scuttled by the Carnival’s huge 7-foot-3 import PJ Ramos, whose three-pointer erected a 25-14 lead for Kia early in the second period.
But Meralco turned the game around in the third frame, where they caught fire and took a 51-42 advantage after a perimeter jumper by David.
Kia showed some fight and closed the gap to a matchstick, 68-69, off a twinner by Ramos, with 5:36 to go. But David conspired with Reyes and Davis on an 11-3 salvo that eventually broke the backs of Kia, which fell to 0-2 (win-loss) for the conference.
Ramos topped Kia with 34 points and 21 boards.