ANTIPOLO – Even without Cliff Hodge, Meralco still got the job done after rolling past the skidding Blackwater, 103-85, to snap out of its two-game losing slide in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, Wednesday at the Ynares Center here.
The veteran big man served the one-game ban imposed by the Commissioner’s Office for his dangerous foul on Zavier Lucero against Magnolia last week.
Still, the Bolts pulled through toward a huge morale booster for a weary side.
Coach Luigi Trillo & Co. have been a spent — and perhaps stressed — bunch with the thought of their upcoming BCL Asia 2025 weighing on them, and that was evident by their previous losses to contenders TNT and the Hotshots.
Thus, the relief on their part to have earned some breathing room with a much-needed victory, which also improved their record to 4-5 in the standings.
(C) PBA Images
“It’s nice to see the guys play together,” said Trillo, whose team remain at no.8 following the convincing victory against a woeful Bossing.
Main man Chris Newsome delivered 19 points and seven rebounds as he led a balanced attack that saw a total of five players finish in twin digits.
Rookie guard CJ Cansino supplied 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists off the bench en route to earning Player of the Game honors.
Chris Banchero made 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Raymar Jose had 12 while Brandon Bates added 10 in the triumph that saw Meralco haul down 62 rebounds as they stepped it up on the boards sans Hodge.
“You look at rebounding, the last two games we lost, we didn’t win the rebounds. This game, 62-42. We also shared the ball, 24 assists,” said Trillo.
The Bolts will turn their eyes on NLEX on Sunday, May 25, at the Philsports Arena in the penultimate game of their elimination round schedule.
(C) PBA Images
Christian David, on the other hand, finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead Blackwater. Sedrick Barefield backed him up with 23 points.
The Bossing fell to 1-5 following the loss and will now have to win as much as they can in their five remaining games to stay in playoff contention.
Coach Jeff Cariaso and his wards will look to start their playoff push against Ginebra on Friday, May 23, also at the Philsports Arena.
The Scores:
Meralco 103 – Newsome 19, Cansino 14, Banchero 13, Jose 12, Bates 10, Black 9, Quinto 8, Almazan 8, Pasaol 4, Mendoza 4, Torres 2, Rios 0, Maguliano 0
Blackwater 85 – David 24, Barefield 23, Escoto 11, Mallilin 7, Casio 6, Jopia 3, Caperal 3, Andrade 2, Ayonayon 2, Tartter 2, Mitchell 2, Guinto 0, Ilagan 0, Corteza 0, Chua 0
Quarterscores: 22-18, 52-39, 76-62, 103-85.
