Meralco revived its Top Four hopes in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup following a dominant 112-91 conquest of an erstwhile-streaking Barangay Ginebra before a big crowd at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.
The Bolts took a slim four-point lead after the first 12 minutes but got going in the second chapter, winning as decisively 29-13 for a huge 60-40 lead at the half, never to let up on the way to snapping out of a rare two-game funk.
It was a far more consistent showing for the charges of Coach Luigi Trillo, and there was indeed a conscious effort on their part to do so after losing good leads against NLEX and San Miguel, in that order, leading to the rare slide.
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As a result, the MVP franchise has seized solo fourth in the standings with a 6-3 record, and could boost their chances should they sweep their three remaining games of the elimination round beginning with Blackwater this Sunday.
Ginebra, on the other hand, fell to 7-3 but remained at third, sitting behind current leader NLEX and Rain or Shine–both of which are toting 8-2 cards.
“This was a team on a winning streak, and they solidified themselves in the Top Four. And this now gave us a bigger chance to make the Top Four,” said Trillo, as they put an end to the crowd darlings’ hot five-game winning run.
A total of eight players finished in twin digits for Meralco, with Marvin Jones leading the way with 18 points alongside nine rebounds and four assists.
CJ Cansino fired 18 points as well on 7-of-9 shooting from the field, including a four-pointer. Chris Newsome made 12 points, half of which he made from the first arc.
Cliff Hodge and Bong Quinto supplied 11 points apiece while Jason Brickman and Chris Banchero had identical numbers as well, with 10 markers each in the win that saw the squad dish 27 assists–13 more than what their foes had.
“Top Four is really crucial whenever you’re trying to win a championship. You’d want every advantage you can get, and Top Four is definitely an advantage,” said Newsome while emphasizing the luxury of a win-once incentive.
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Carrying the bulk for Ginebra, meanwhile, were RJ Abarrientos and Justin Brownlee as they finished with 24 and 23 points, respectively.
The Kings will soon look ahead to two marquee games to finish their elimination round, first against the Elasto Painters this Sunday, and then against TNT on May 10.
The Scores:
Meralco 112 – Jones 18, Cansino 18, Newsome 12, Hodge 11, Quinto 11, Brickman 10, Banchero 10, Black 8, Bates 4, Magbuhos 3, Maliksi 3, Mocon 2, Rios 2, Pascual 0, Caram 0, Comia 0.
Ginebra 91 – Abarrientos 24, Brownlee 23, Thompson 8, Holt 8, Gray 8, Go 6, Abis 6, Rosario 4, Cariño 2, Estil 2, Cu 0, Pinto 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 31-27, 60-40, 90-65, 112-91.
