ANTIPOLO CITY - Meralco unleashed guard Trevis Jackson and the Fil-Am rookie responded in style to help the Bolts break into the win column of the PBA Philippine Cup Saturday night.
Jackson finished with a game-high 19 points including 5-of-8 from three-point range as the Bolts turned back the Blackwater Elite, 99-94, at the Ynares Center and to even their record at 1-1.
The no. 5 overall pick in the last draft, Jackson set the tone for his team hitting seven points in the opening period and had the same number of output in the final quarter when he teamed-up with Nico Salva in putting away the gritty stand of the Elite.
"Trevis Jackson made a lot of outside shots for us and helped up open their (Elite) defense," said Meralco coach Norman Black shortly after the Petron Saturday Special game.
Jackson only played for five minutes and held scoreless in his first PBA game, a 93-92 loss by the Bolts in overtime against Phoenix.
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But two days following the setback, he came back with a vengeance by shooting 5-of-9 form the field and played 26 minutes. He also had a rebound and two assists.
Jackson's final three-pointer for the game broke a tight 78-all count and gave the Bolts the lead for good.
Mike Tolomia added 15 points and Salva with 14, including 12 in the fourth quarter when he came up with big baskets to bail Meralco out of trouble.
"Nico Salva came up with big shots in the fourth quarter that gave us the opportunity to separate from them in the endgame," added Black.
"I'm happy with the win. It's nice to get into the win column for the new year."
Allein Maliksi led Blackwater with 17 points, while Roi Sumang and Raymar Jose added 16 and 15, respectively.
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The Elite however suffered a second straight loss. (RG)
The scores:
Meralco 99 - Jackson 18, Tolomia 15, Salva 14, Amer 13, Hodge 12, Hugnatan 10, Caram 7, De Ocampo 6, Newsome 3, Faundo 0, Dillinger 0, Quinto 0.
Blackwater 94 - Maliksi 17, Sumang 16, Jose 15, Belo 12, Digregorio 11, Tratter 8, Javier 8, Dario 3, Desiderio 2, Palma 2, Alolino 0.
Quarters: 16-25, 48-42, 73-64, 99-94.
