Jordon Varnado impressed in his PBA debut after helping Meralco snap its depressing four-game losing slide in the Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the expense of Ginebra, 97-88, on Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Activated in lieu of Antonio Hester, the former BCL Asia import finished with 31 points, six rebounds, and four assists, as he presided over the Bolts’ strong closeout after the Kings threatened from down 11 points.
“I did okay. Missed too many free throws at the end, but I’m just glad we got the win,” said Varnado, who also had three steals and two blocks to submit a full line even though he was hounded by foul trouble after incurring five.
“And when we come back from the (league’s long) break, we have the opportunity to push forward,” added the 32-year-old forward from Tennessee, who bucked a scary leg twist barely a minute into the fourth quarter.
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He took matters into his own hands when the opposition knocked within just three points, hitting a four under duress to push their lead to 85-78 with 2:37 remaining in the game, which effectively restored order for his crew.
Varnado scored 12 of his team’s last 16 points of the ball game, as his assertiveness enabled Meralco to post just its third win of the tilt (3-5).
“I think coming into a situation like that, it’s very hard for Jordon. Because it’s his first game back. He’s been out of his rhythm. But I thought he made a lot of big shots down the stretch,” lauded head coach Luigi Trillo.
But it wasn’t all Varnado. The locals also did their part, with Chris Newsome coming through with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
Cliff Hodge added 13 points and seven rebounds, with he and ‘Newnew’ helping their import put the finishing touches on the win.
Bong Quinto chipped in 10 points for the Bolts, who also avenged their 84-75 defeat to the same team in the first round.
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In a losing effort, Riley Grigsby posted 34 points and 10 rebounds for Ginebra, which may have been his final game with the team as resident import Justin Brownlee is expected to return to Manila this weekend.
RJ Abarrientos had 21 points, while Japeth Aguilar added 12 points and six rebounds for the Kings, who dropped to sixth in Group A with a 2-4 record.
The Scores:
Meralco 97 – Varnado 31, Newsome 18, Hodge 13, Quinto 10, Brickman 8, Bates 6, Black 4, Cansino 4, Maliksi 3, Mocon 0, Banchero 0.
Ginebra 88 – Grigsby 34, Abarrientos 21, J.Aguilar 12, Rosario 6, Holt 5, Thompson 4, Torres 3, Gray 3, Cu 0, Abis 0, Pinto 0.
Quarterscores: 21-20, 49-41, 69-61, 97-88.
