JORDON Varnado gave Meralco the much-needed lift as the Bolts arrested a four-game losing slide by defeating Barangay Ginebra, 97-88, on Friday in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Varnado, playing his first PBA game, had 31 points including key baskets late to lead the Bolts to a crucial win to go up to a 3-5 win-loss record for fifth place in Group B.
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The loss dropped the Gin Kings to the bottom of Group B with a 2-4 win-loss record due to an inferior winning percentage heading into the FIBA/Asian Games break.
Varnado was Meralco's original choice for import but had to recover from a hamstring injury.
He proved as good as advertised, at least in his debut.
Varnado made a four-point shot with 2:28 left to push Meralco’s lead to 85-78 after Barangay Ginebra came to within three points. Varnado also nailed a three for good measure to up the lead to 95-84.
His clutch shots happened after an injury scare when Varnado twisted his left ankle early in the fourth quarter, where he laid face down, writhing in pain, only to get up, ran it off, and return to the game.
“Coming into a situation like that, that’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. He is a warrior,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said.
Varnado got local support led by Chris Newsome, who had 18 points on 7-of-13 from the field, eight rebounds, and five assists. Cliff Hodge had 13 points and seven rebounds, and Bong Quinto had 10 points and five rebounds.
Riley Grigsby had 34 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks, and RJ Abarrientos had 21 points but Barangay Ginebra has now lost two in a row in their first game after 12 days.
Scottie Thompson came back to play his first game since Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup finals, but had an off-night of four points on 1-of-6 from the field.
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.
Barangay 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.
Quarters: 21-20; 49-41; 69-61; 97-88.
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