MERALCO handed Petron Blaze its first loss of the tournament with a hard-earned 80-70 win in the 2011 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup on Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Solomon Mercado came back from an injury and scored a team-high 16 points to lead the Bolts to their third win in five losses. Gabby Espinas also played big for Meralco with 14 points and 12 rebounds.

“Our battle cry going into this game is we want to be the best and in order for us to be the best, we have to beat the best which is now Petron. It’s one shining moment for us, to be able to feel it and be the first team to beat Petron,” said Bolts head coach Ryan Gregorio.

Mercado, who sat out the first four games due to a knee ailment, was a spark offensively for the undermanned Bolts, who controlled the game from start to finish. “Sol’s return, it’s artillery for us. He gave us a huge lift offensively and it’s confidence booster for us. But more important, we know we have another live body,” Gregorio added.

The Bolts are still missing the services of Mark Cardona, Reynel Hugnatan and Chris Ross.

Arwind Santos paced the Boosters with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Chris Lutz added 16 but majority came in the free throw line as he struggled with his shots.

Actually, the whole Petron team had a sour offensive game and was beaten badly by the Bolts inside.

Mercado and Mark Isip joined forces in giving Meralco a 66-53 lead with 9:08 remaining before Joseph Yeo ignited a 14-7 exchange to move within six, 67-73.

But the six-foot Mercado fed Asi Taulava for a one-hand slam and though the Boosters, who slipped to 3-1, moved closer at 70-75, Chico Lanete sealed the win with two free throws after Alex Cabagnot muffed a wide-open trey. (Joel Orellana)