By Vivem Soriano
Eagle News Service
Journeyman KG Cañaleta scored 17 points over his former team as the Meralco Bolts sent the Kia Picanto crashing back to earth with a 105-76 beatdown at the Araneta Coliseum.
This was a much needed win for Meralco, who has always performed well with import-laden conferences but has always struggled with the All-Filipino Conference.
The Bolts move to a 2-3 win-loss record with the victory. Another good news for Meralco was the return of Cliff Hodge from injury.
Kia Picanto meanwhile fell to a measly 1-5 record, suffering their fourth loss by at least 23 points.
Kia was trying to string consecutive wins after snapping a 16-game skid dating back from last season but Kia simply had no answer to the hot-shooting Bolts.
Kia was also missing the services of big-man JR Reyes, Jackson Corpuz and newly-signed Carlo Lastimosa due to various injuries plus the suspended Eric Camson.
Cañaleta led the Bolts with 17 points, Jared Dillinger added 13 while the returning Cliff Hodge contributed 8 points.
Former SMB pick Rashawn McCarthy paced Kia with 17 markers, Mark Yee contributed 14 while Jon Gabriel scored a career-high 13 points.
Meralco’s next assignment will be against Globalport this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum while Kia will face powerhouse TNT Katropa at MOA Arena on January 31.
Boxscore:
MERALCO 105 – Canaleta 17, Dillinger 13, Caram 12, Amer 10, Hodge 8, Faundo 8, Hugnatan 7, Tolomia 7, Newsome 6, Ballesteros 6, Baracael 5, Salva 5, Sedurifa 1, Lanete 0, Bono 0.
KIA 76 – McCarthy 17, Yee 14, Gabriel 13, Galanza 9, Celda 8, Tubid 8, Caperal 3, Jamon 2, Sara 2, Ababou 0, Cabrera 0, Khobuntin 0.
Quarter Scores: 27-21, 60-41, 79-58, 105-76.
