Meralco dealt Terrafirma a 107-95 drubbing to virtually clinch a quarterfinal slot in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup, Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Bolts seized control of the match in the second chapter, outscoring the Dyip 30-19 to establish a 60-45 lead at the half. The lead rose to as high as 23 points, as the opposition could not muster any comeback.
It was the MVP ball club’s second win in a row since losing to the erstwhile winless NorthPort, 98-109, last February 16.
“The loss to NorthPort was on our minds entering this game,” said head coach Norman Black. “We did not want to stumble again, knowing that the elimination round is coming to an end pretty soon, and everybody’s fighting for positions.
“We want to stay within that top four. So we didn’t wanna fall today,” he added. “And, we just wanted to come out and run as much as possible, play good defense, and just get a win, and move on to our Alaska game.”
Tony Bishop top-billed with 26 points and 11 rebounds in the triumph, which hiked Meralco’s record to 6-1 to strengthen its hold of the second spot in the team standings — just behind the still unbeaten Magnolia (6-0).
Allein Maliksi picked up where he left off from last Sunday’s win versus Rain or Shine, this time finishing with 18 points, six assists, and four rebounds.
Cliff Hodge provided 16 points on a 6-of-8 clip with six boards. Bong Quinto supplied 11 points, four caroms, and four dimes, while Chris Newsome chipped in 10 markers as five players finished in double figures in the win.
“We were able to get out and run today,” said Black as the Bolts scored 20 fastbreak points. “That was very important for us. The last two games, I think we only averaged about four fastbreak points per game.”
Meralco will look to extend its winning streak to three against fourth-ranked Alaska (5-3) on Saturday, 4 p.m., still at the same venue.
Terrafirma was led by the 23 points and 17 rebounds of Antonio Hester as it failed to bounce back from its collapse against the Aces last Saturday.
Joshua Munzon supplied 17 points on 17 shots. Juami Tiongson made 13 points, while Ed Daquioag and Eric Camson added 11 and 10 markers, respectively for the Dyip, who fell to 2-6 with the loss.
Terrafirma is surely keen on ending its two-game slide to keep its flickering playoff hopes beating, but it will have to do so against defending champs Barangay Ginebra on Sunday, 4 p,m., also in Antipolo.
The Scores:
Meralco 107 – Bishop 26, Maliksi 18, Hodge 16, Quinto 11, Newsome 10, Black 8, Almazan 7, Banchero 6, Caram 5, Baclao 0, Pasaol 0, Canete 0, Jose 0.
Terrafirma 95 – Hester 23, Munzon 17, Tiongson 13, Daquioag 11, Camson 10, Cahilig 6, Gabayni 5, Batiller 3, Pascual 3, Ramos 2, Calvo 2, Balagasay 0, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 30-26, 60-45, 89-73, 107-95.
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