Meralco locals take charge, repel B’water

Gary David, Sean Anthony and Jared Dillinger took over from their struggling import and provided the needed scoring sock as Meralco warded off Blackwater, 87-72, to get back into the thick of things in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

David, Anthony and Dillinger all played above their norms as import Andre Emmett struggled for a woeful 5-of-18 clip and the Bolts enjoyed a balanced game that helped the team hit the .500 mark again with its third win against the same number of losses.

The three Meralco locals – Emmett and Japanese recruit Seiya Ando – scored at least 10 points each with trade acquisition Kelly Nabong contributing eight markers, six rebounds and two steals as they sent the Elite crushing deeper down the cellar with a 1-5 win-loss mark.

Meanwhile, the Kia Carnival seek a share of the lead while the Star Hotshots hope to avert further slide as they square off in a Petron Blazesponsored road game at the AUF Gym in Angeles, Pampanga at 5 p.m. today.

Before the game, David, Anthony and Dillinger averaged measly 8.6, 3.4 and 2.0 points with Emmett carrying much load for the team with a whopping norm of 37 an outing.

Jarrid Famous, Stanley Pringle and Terrence Romeo combined for 70 points with Keith Jensen contributing two lethal three-pointers at the finish as Globalport beat out Commissioner’s Cup champion Talk n Text, 123-120, in a shootout to move up to joint third with San Miguel Beer at 4-2 later in the night.

Omar Krayem and Doug Kramer were two other Globalport players who scored in double figures as the Batang Pier snapped a two-game losing skein and at the same time halted the Texters’ two-game romp.

“Total team effort,” said Globalport coach Pido Jarencio who offered the win to his older brother Giovanni who passed away Monday.