PBA’s 36th Season Opening; Bolts escaped from Kings

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Asia’s oldest basketball league, tipped off last Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. Ten teams paraded with their respective muses: Barangay Gnebra Kings with Anne Curtis, B-meg Derby Ace Llamados with Carla Abellana, Talk n Text Tropang Texters with Jennelyn Mercado, Air21 Express with Diana Meneses, Alaska Aces with Nancy Castiglione, Rain or Shine Elasto Painters with Coleen Garcia, and the San Miguel Beermen with Isabel Daza, Sam Pinto and Georgina Wilson. Ms. Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano entertained the crowd with their own performances.

After the spectacular opening shows, the returning Meralco Bolts under the mentorship of former B-meg Derby Ace Llamados’ main tactician and three-time Coach of the Year awardee Coach Ryan Gregorio escaped from the hands of the crowd favourite Brgy. Ginebra Kings with former San Miguel Beermen’s head coach Siot Tanquincen joining his long-time partner sometimes competitor Jong Uichico in the bench.

Macmac Cardona proved he’s up to the task as the Bolts’ franchise player as he scored 12 points including the go-ahead basket in the Bolts’ 73-72 stunner over the Kings. He also grabbed 6 rebounds and dished 4 assists.

It was not for luck that Cardona hits the game-winner shot for he has to elude two Brgy. Ginebra Kings defenders in Eric Menk and Ronald Tubid before releasing a floater that hits the glass first before going to give the Bolts a one-point cushion with 32.4seconds left.

“Coach Ryan kept on egging me during the timeout to keep on shooting no matter what happens”, Cardona said as he recalled his mentor’s advice during a team huddle in the stretch.

Willie Miller missed an open jumper with 18 seconds left. Then, the Bolts throw away two big opportunities to win the game after failing to make four straight free-throws, 2 by Cardona with 14 seconds left and another 2 by Asi Taulava with 5 seconds to go. But the Kings failed to capitalize.

Nelbert Omolon scored a team-high 14 points and 14 rebounds in the Bolts’ first victory of the season.

Ronald Tubid and JC Intal both have 11 points in the Kings’ first loss in the season.
The Scores:

MERALCO 73- Omolon 14, Cardona 12, Escobal 7, Aljamal 7, Taulava 7, Weinstein 6, Espinas 6, Aquino 6, Ross 4, Belga4, Daa 0.

GINEBRA 72- Intal 11, Tubid 11, Miller 10, Caguioa 10, Hatfield 10, Cortez 8, Helterbrand 4, Mamaril 4, Menk 2, DeOcampo 2, Villanueva 0.

Quarterscores:
22-18, 35-34, 56-56, 73-72.
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