Meralco added to the struggles of NLEX, 105-91, to get back on track in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Bong Quinto nailed a tough fadeaway jumper from the baseline to push their lead to 101-91 lead with 1:32 left to play, and that proved to be the dagger that enabled the Bolts to send the Road Warriors reeling to their fourth straight loss.
“This game, we were more in rhythm,” said head coach Luigi Trillo as he liked his charges’ good start into the game that influenced their solid showing, as it helped them get enough juice to repel the opposition’s multiple comebacks.
Akil Mitchell led the way with 24 points,12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals as he found redemption from his costly foul on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson that led to the marginal free throws that doomed Meralco against TNT, 101-99.
Quinto finished with 16 points and six assists. Rookie CJ Cansino supplied 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, along with three rebounds and three assists.
Chris Banchero and Aaron Black supplied 11 points each while Chris Newsome chipped in 10 for the Bolts, who improved to 5-3 with the triumph.
“It’s playoff basketball at this point,” said Mitchell, whose side joined Ginebra at no. 5 in the standings. “We’re fighting for a spot in the playoffs.”
Meralco will take on conference leaders NorthPort (7-1) next on Tuesday, January 14, also at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
On the other hand, Mike Watkins punched in 38 points and 21 rebounds but his assertiveness on offense couldn’t equate to a win for NLEX, who fell to 3-5.
It couldn’t get any tougher for a team that actually started the tournament at 3-1 as they now find themselves on a downward spiral late in the eliminations.
Robert Bolick finished with 19 points and 10 assists against eight turnovers while rookie Brandon Ramirez added 12 markers in the defeat, which saw the wards of Coach Jong Uichico fail to sustain a strong 19-9 start into the game.
The Road Warriors are hoping to lay their skid to rest when they battle the red-hot Tropang Giga (3-2) on Wednesday, January 15, at the NAS as well.
The Scores:
Meralco 105 – Mitchell 24, Quinto 16, Cansino 13, Banchero 11, Black 11, Newsome 10, Hodge 9, Bates 8, Rios 3, Almazan 0, Caram 0
NLEX 91 – Watkins 38, Bolick 19, Ramirez 12, Policarpio 6, Alas 5, Mocon 5, Torres 3, Semerad 3, Rodger 0, Fajardo 0, Miranda 0, Herndon 0, Amer 0
Quarterscores: 29-24, 54-49, 77-70, 105-91.
