Bolts suffer another heartbreak

Meralco was forced to taste the bitter pill of another PBA Governors’ Cup finals defeat to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Friday night, its comeback falling short with a 101-96 Game 7 defeat in front of a record crowd at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The Bolts tried to erase a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter by pulling within four in the final seconds. But coach Norman Black’s team just couldn’t get it done as time ran out in Ginebra’s favor.

Black immediately tipped his hat to Ginebra for a job well done, but had choice words about officiating.

For most of the game, Black and the rest of the Bolts coaching staff protested vigorously on several calls.

“First of all, congratulations to Ginebra and coach Tim (Cone). Other than that, I don't really have any comments,” Black said.

“I wasn’t very happy with the way the game was governed tonight, and I don't wanna give the commissioner (Chito Narvasa) any money (through fine). I'd just leave it at that, okay? Thank you,” he added.

It was the second straight time the Bolts fell to Ginebra in a finals series, the first coming from a buzzer-beating three by Justin Brownlee in last year’s duel.

The Bolts forced a Game 7 after an impressive 98-91 victory. However, it was the Kings who came out strong in the decider.

Meralco import Allen Durham, who won his second Best Import award but was frustrated again in the finals, expressed disappointment over the team’s failed mission to win the crown.

“It was a hard-fought series. It's tough… It hurts,” said Durham. “We got to figure out a way, to get over this hump. Hopefully I can come back next year as we go at it again.”