Sol Mercado's clutch hit halts Texters

Sol Mercado

MANILA, Philippines - Rain or Shine pulled off another escape act through the exploits of gutsy guard Sol Mercado last night, handing Talk n Text its first loss in the 2010-2011 PBA Philippine Cup on a 95-93 thriller of a win last night at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Mercado struggled for only six points in the first half but came through with 12 in the final, including the game-winning top-of-the-key jumper off Jason Castro with 1.5 seconds left to play.

Talk n Text fumbled an alley-oop play for Kelly Williams in the dying seconds as the Texters eventually lost the game.

The Elasto Painters squeaked past the Tropang Texters for their second win in the season following a similar nail-biter over the Air21 Express where Mercado set up Jeff Chan for a buzzer-beating winning three-pointer.

Rain or Shine improved its win-loss record to 2-2 while dealing Talk n Text its first loss in four starts.

“Jason was denying me the whole game. When I got the ball (from the inbounds), he was playing me for the drive. I did set up for the drive and took it off when he sagged,” said Mercado, continuing to dish out performances worthy of his inclusion in the Smart Gilas team bound for the Guangzhou Asian Games in November.

“We’re a young team and winning games like this is a good sign for us. It will help us mature quicker,” said Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia.

Mercado wound up with 18 points, four assists and three rebounds while JayR Reyes and Gabe Norwood -- the other cornerstones of the young ballclub - combined for 24 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
Coming out well prepared for the match, the Elasto Painters set the pace in the first three quarters and hung tough in a furious battle at the finish.

“We’re playing a very talented team. Our only chance to beat them is to contend from the opening minute to the last,” said Garcia.

Squandering a 10-point lead midway through the third quarter, the Elasto Painters stayed in the battle through the clutch outside shooting of Norwood, Mercado and TY Tang.

The Elasto Painters trailed at 79-77 when Mercado, Norwood and Tang combined for four triples in a decisive 15-6 run that carried the team back on top at 92-85.

The Texters pounced on crucial errors and misses by the Elasto Painters in the last two minutes as Talk n Text fought back into contention, pulling even for the last time at 93-all on two free throws by Jimmy Alapag with 21.5 seconds to go.
As in their game against Air21, the Elasto Painters put their fate on Mercado’s hands in the closing seconds.
Mercado worked on the time before making his move in the last five seconds.
“I played by reaction. Jason sagged and so I took the shot,” said Mercado, who was supposed to feed Chan, coming out from a triple screen.
The B-MEG Derby Ace Llamados played with great resolve up against former coach Ryan Gregorio and his new team the Meralco Bolts B-Boys, pulling off a 75-71 decision in the nightcap.