Bong Quinto overcame a scary slip and helped Meralco weather the fourth-quarter attack of Terrafirma, 107-91, to get back on track in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, Wednesday evening at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The 29-year-old hurt his left leg after losing balance on a slippery spot on the court at the 10:24 mark of the fourth quarter.
And that, of course, cast a cloud of concern over at the Bolts’ side as it took him a while to stand up.
He did return heading into the game’s final minutes and showed that he was OK.
Quinto nailed the key buckets to repel the Dyip for the bounce-back from a double-digit defeat at the hands of TNT the last time out.
“Yung nangyari kanina, kasi maghehelp sana ako kay CB, kasi na-blow by siya. So pag-atras ko, may naapakan akong tubig. Parang sumadsad ‘yung tuhod ko sa floor. Thank God naman, hindi siya seryoso,” Quinto said.
He nailed three consecutive three-pointers for a 103-85 lead with 3:21 left to play, which were more than enough to put the game away after their counterparts got to within six, 90-84, from a deficit as deep as 16 early.
Quinto finished with 22 points on four treys to help Meralco improve to 2-1 in Group A while dealing Terrafirma its third defeat in as many outings.
Allen Durham regained his groove after a paltry eight-point showing versus the Tropang Giga as he scattered 23 points and 12 rebounds this time.
Chris Banchero made 17 points, as Rookie CJ Cansino shined with 16 points on a 4-of-7 clip from three.
Meanwhile, the returning Allein Maliksi chipped in 12 as plenty stepped up in the absence of the injured Chris Newsome.
“Talagang nireready kami ni Coach Nenad, ni Coach Luigi sa mga ganitong sitwasyon. Kasi ‘pag may na-injure sa amin, siyempre kung lahat kami ready maglaro, pagdating sa game makakapag-execute,” Quinto said.
Meralco will meet NorthPort next on Sunday, September 1, in the same venue in a start of a grueling stretch for the team.
It will play in three games in six days including a clash versus Magnolia on September 7 in Panabo City.
Stanley Pringle, on the other hand, had 19 points to lead Terrafirma in the defeat. Antonio Hester supplied 18 points and eight rebounds.
Rookie Paolo Hernandez had 15 points, nine of which he made in the fourth as he waxed hot from deep and led their comeback bid.
The Dyip are set to play on Sunday as well against the Hotshots at 5:00 PM.
The Scores:
Meralco 107 – Durham 23, Quinto 22, Banchero 17, Cansino 16, Maliksi 12, Mendoza 5, Hodge 4, Caram 4, Torres 2, Pascual 2, Bates 0, Pasaol 0, Rios 0.
Terrafirma 91 – Pringle 19, Hester 18, Hernandez 15, Tiongson 9, Standhardinger 9, Sangalang 7, Carino 7, Carino 4, Ferrer 4, Cahilig 3, Hanapi 3, Olivario 0.
Quarterscores: 31-19, 56-43, 79-67, 107-91.
