The Meralco Bolts have now qualified for the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals after whitewashing the already-eliminated Blackwater Elite, 102-75, Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Bolts have improved to 6-2 and now have a great chance of finishing the elimination round on either of the Top Two spots, which merits a twice-to-beat edge in the playoffs. The Elite, on the other hand, dropped to 1-9.
“I thought my guys played with a sense of urgency tonight,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black. “We really wanted to come out and establish our defense right at the start of the game, and I thought my guys did that well.”
Import Arinze Onuaku led the Orangemen’s balanced attack with 17 points and 16 rebounds. Anjo Caram provided 13 points — 10 in the first half — off the bench, while Cliff Hodge had 12 points, four boards, and three assists.
Meralco started to make it a one-sided affair as early as the second period. An Amer up-and-under gave the Bolts their first 20-point lead, 46-26, with 4:32 to go, and his wing triple in the last seconds sent them to a 59-30 lead at the half.
Blackwater just couldn’t find anything going for them — on both ends of the floor — since then. As a result, Meralco’s lead grew to a whopping 41 points, 93-52, after forward Mac Baracael’s basket with 7:25 to go in the final chapter.
Jared Dillinger chipped in 11 markers, and KG Cañaleta made 10 points and four rebounds for Meralco.
Import Henry Walker led Blackwater with 14 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists against three turnovers. Allein Maliksi produced 12 points and five boards, while Paul Zamar supplied 11 markers on 4-of-9 shooting off the bench.
Meralco will next face the surging Alaska this Sunday, June 17, 4:30 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Blackwater, meanwhile, will battle defending champs San Miguel on July 4, Wednesday, 4:30 PM still at the MoA Arena.
The Scores:
Meralco (102) — Onuaku 17, Caram 13, Hodge 12, Dillinger 11, Canaleta 10, Amer 9, Hugnatan 6, Tolomia 6, Newsome 4, De Ocampo 3, Sedurifa 3, Baracael 2, Salva 2, Bono 0, Lanete 0.
Blackwater (75) — Walker 14, Maliksi 12, Zamar 11, Sumang 10, DiGregorio 8, Al-Hussaini 7, Erram 4, Banal 2, Jose 2, Pinto 2, Sena 2, Palma 1, Cortez 0, Cruz 0, Javier 0.
Quarterscores: 24-15, 59-30, 79-47, 102-75.
