Petron’s Joseph Yeo drives through a phalanx of Meralco defenders during their PBA Philippine Cup showdown at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. The Bolts stunned the Boosters, 80-70. (Bob Dungo Jr.)

Games Wednesday (Smart-Araneta Coliseum)

5:30 p.m. — Powerade vs B-Meg

7:45 p.m. — Shopinas.com vs Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco point guard Sol Mercado has missed the Bolts’ first four games due to a left knee injury. And when he’s healthy everybody knows he’s dangerous.

He proved that last night as he helped power the Meralco Bolts to an 80-70 win over erstwhile solo leader Petron Blaze in the PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Mercado came off the bench to score 16 points as the Bolts improved to 3-2. The Boosters slipped to 3-1.

Rain or Shine, on the other hand, still found a way to win despite the ejection of coach Yeng Guiao because of a second technical foul late in the third period as it kept Alaska winless with a 120-84 victory to claim solo lead with a 4-1 record.

The Elasto Painters led by as many as 33 points, 109-76, after back-to-back three-pointers from Jeff Chan and Paul Lee with 3:38 left in the game. Chan had 20 points and JR Quinahan added 19 with eight points in Rain or Shine’s biggest win in franchise history.

Alaska fell to 0-4, tying the team’s start back in 1995 All-Filipino Cup – where it went on to play in the Finals – and 2001 Governors’ Cup. This is the team’s worst defeat since 1992 Third Conference against Shell (94-62).

Forward Gabby Espinas also had a solid outing for the Bolts as he contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds – his second double-double this conference – in 33 minutes.

Mercado provided the spark early as he scattered 11 points in the first half as the Bolts took a 36-30 advantage at halftime.

They even grabbed a 58-49 lead entering the final quarter as the Bolts finished the third period with five straight points.

Santos led Petron with 17 points and 13 boards, his fourth straight double-double, while rookie Chris Lutz contributed 16 points.

First Game

Meralco 80 — Mercado 16, Espinas 14, Lanete 9, taulava 8, Isip 7, Faundo 6, Macapagal 6, Omolon 6, Borboran 5, Yee 3, Ballesteros 0.

Peton 70 — Santos 17, Lutz 16, Yeo 11, Miranda 7, Cabagnot 6, Ildefonso 6, Agustin 3, Baclao 2, Sharma 2, Guevarra 0, Reyes 0.

Quarters: 18-17, 36-30, 58-49, 80-70

Second Game

Rain or Shine 120 — Chan 20, Quinahan 19, Buenafe 17, Rodriguez 16, Norwood 9, Arana 9, Cruz 7, Lee 5, Ibanes 5, Uyloan 4, Matias 3, Jaime 3, Belga 3.

Alaska 84 — Tenorio 20, Cablay 15, Baguio 13, Baracael 8, Dela Cruz 8, Thoss 7, Custodio 5, Reys 4, Salamat 3, Bugia 1, Mepana 0, Thiele 0, Eman 0.

Quarters: 32-18; 53-45; 81-62; 120-84.