MERALCO strengthened its quest for a twice-to-beat berth with a 108-93 rout of Blackwater on Sunday in the PBA 50th Season Commissioner's Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts won their second straight game, both in blowout fashion, to soar to a 7-3 win-loss record to secure their place in the quarterfinals.
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Meralco could reach as high as third place at the end of the day depending on the result of Barangay Ginebra's game against Rain or Shine as the Gin Kings have a similar win-loss mark with the Bolts.
Marvin Jones got off to a strong start to finish with 26 points and 12 rebounds as the Bolts handed the Bossing their ninth loss in 11 outings.
The Bolts only had one day to prepare for the Bossing, but showed the same form that they displayed in putting away Ginebra in lopsided fashion, 112-91, last Friday.
“It's a testament to these guys that they came locked in. [This win] gives us a chance to really put pressure and get a chance at the Top Four,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
“Been with Coach Nenad (Vucinic) since he handled the program. I think it's our seventh or eighth conference where we made the quarters. And we made every quarterfinals. But it would be big in the next games if we can get the twice-to-beat,” said Trillo.
Chris Banchero came two assists shy of a double-double after churning 14 points and eight dimes. He had 10 in the second quarter to help the Bolts build a 61-51 lead at the half.
The lead of Meralco later ballooned to 26 points, 98-72, in the fourth quarter.
Robert Upshaw came back after missing the previous game against Macau, and ended up with 31 points and 12 rebounds.
The scores:
Meralco 108 – Jones 26, Banchero 14, Quinto 12, Cansino 12, Black 11, Newsome 10, Hodge 6, Brickman 6, Mocon 5, Bates 2, Maliksi 2, Pascual 1, Comia 1, Rios 0.
Blackwater 93 – Upshaw 31, Barefield 16, Zamar 11, Una 9, Mallillin 9, Austria 7, Tratter 5, Jopia 2, Murrell 2, Altamirano 1, Guinto 0, Andrade 0, David 0.
Quarters: 35-25; 61-51; 87-67; 108-93.
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