Meralco whips NorthPort, clinches quarters berth and tows TNT along
Meralco Bolts’ Chris Banchero during a PBA Governors’ Cup game. –PBA IMAGES
Meralco welcomed back its key players from injuries and looked even better on Saturday night, whipping NorthPort, 114-104, to book a quarterfinal berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
With Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan back in harness, the Bolts rolled to their sixth win in eight outings following the triumph at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
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“The coaching staff always tells us we can’t make any excuses regardless of who’s on the floor,” Banchero, who finished with 19 points, said. “We have enough players even when people are down to take care of business and we did that. But it’s always good to have Cliff back and Mond back—they make life a lot easier.”
The Bolts also towed idling TNT to the quarterfinals with the victory and can now use up the remaining of its preliminary round schedule to prepare for the next round.
“We want to use the next two games as building blocks going into the playoffs,” said coach Luigi Trillo.
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Allen Durham had 23 points while Chris Newsome 20. Anjo Caram and rookie CJ Cansino chipped in 12 each as Almazan and Hodge combined for 11 in their return from their respective injuries.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s 5 p.m. opener at Smart Araneta Coliseum will pit Blackwater against Phoenix, a game that the Bossing are looking to use as a way of shaking off Tuesday’s loss to vengeful Barangay Ginebra.
If import George King, rookie Sedrick Barefield and Blackwater prevail, that will put pressure on NLEX, which is also chasing a quarterfinal seat in Group B.
Blackwater and NLEX are tied for fourth in their group with 3-4 (win-loss) records. After Phoenix, Blackwater has San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine on tap while NLEX plays Rain or Shine on Tuesday followed by Phoenix and Ginebra.
“We’re a playoff team,” said King. “We have the pieces, we have the right spirits and the chemistry as well.”
After their own weekend shindigs, Converge has Meralco and Magnolia even as NorthPort plays Meralco, Magnolia and TNT, the Group A leader at 6-1.
Sunday’s other game slated at 7:30 p.m. sees Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel for the lead in Group B.
