ANTIPOLO — Meralco leaned on a big third-quarter reversal to keep Rain or Shine winless, 122-114, and get on board in Group B of the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, Saturday night at the Ynares Center here.
The Bolts headed into the break staring at a 60-54 deficit, but the backcourt troika of Jason Brickman, Chris Banchero, and CJ Cansino powered a 41-point eruption in the said period to build a 95-83 advantage entering the fourth.
The crew managed to sustain their fine play and was eventually rewarded sweetly as they got their first win after losing a close one against Phoenix in their conference opener last Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
(C) PBA Images
“I thought in the last game against Phoenix, maganda rin ‘yung nilaro namin. But Phoenix was also playing well, but the breaks of the game happened. For this one, credit to the boys,” lauded head coach Luigi Trillo.
Antonio Hester top-scored for Meralco with 21 points and nine rebounds as the American wing surely made a good account of himself in his PBA return.
Brickman finished with 19 points, including nine in the third, alongside seven assists. Banchero supplied 15 points, three rebounds, and two assists, with Bong Quinto adding 14 as the two bannered the bench support.
Cansino came through with 12 points while Chris Newsome chipped in 10 markers as a total of six players finished in double digits in the win.
“This win is very important; every game is important. I think we have a tough group, and all the games are going to be tough to win. It’s important to bounce back after a loss,” said Brickman, who earned Player of the Game honors.
Meralco will try to deal Blackwater its first loss of the conference when it takes on the current pool co-leaders on Tuesday, July 21, still here in Antipolo.
(C) PBA Images
Aaron Fuller had 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead Rain or Shine, which fell to its second loss in as many outings, although this one felt a tad heavier for the crew as it was their first game without former team captain Gian Mamuyac.
Mamuyac was traded to Phoenix, along with a Season 53 second-round draft pick, for the Fuel Masters’ Season 53 first-rounder last Thursday.
Interestingly, Phoenix will be Rain or Shine’s next opponent, with the two teams set to face off this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Adrian Nocum had 21 points and seven assists. Rookie Deo Cuajao had 19 points in a rare start while Luis Villegas chipped in 10 in the defeat.
The Scores:
Meralco 122 – Hester 21, Brickman 19, Banchero 15, Quinto 14, Cansino 12, Newsome 10, Bates 9, Mocon 6, Maliksi 6, Hodge 6, Black 4.
Rain or Shine 114 – Fuller 28, Nocum 21, Cuajao 19, Villegas 10, Tiongson 9, Clarito 8, Manaytay 6, Asistio 5, Caracut 4, Malonzo 4, David 0.
Quarterscores: 32-34, 54-60, 95-83, 122-114.
