ANTIPOLO – Meralco snapped a two-game losing skid whilr playing without Cliff Hodge, defeating Blackwater, 103-85, on Wednesday in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center.
Five players led by Chris Newsome scored in double digits as the Bolts got back on teack at 4-5 (win-loss) following back-to-back defeats to TNT and Magnolia.
The Bolts played without Hodge, who served his one-game suspension for a flagrant foul against Zavier Lucero during the Magnolia contest last May 14.
COLUMN: Lucero hopes Hodge takes 'full accountability for his actions'
Blackwater dropped to 1-5 after losing its third straight game.
For the first time since their 118-80 win over Terrafirma in the second game of the conference, Meralco finally limited its opponent below 100 points.
“Coach Nenad (Vucinic) was saying even at halftime that it was probably the first time we played with that sense of urgency. Probably their best defense so far in terms of being locked in. We gave up [only] 80 points which is good,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
Chris Newsome had 19 points on the night he reached the 5,000-point plateau. He added seven rebounds and three steaks.
Rookie CJ Cansino had 14 points including a three that enabled Meralco to build an 84-62 spread early in the fourth quarter - the largest of the contest.
Chris Banchero added 13 points and seven rebounds, as Raymar Jose had 12 points and five rebounds for Meralco.
Blackwater’s 1-2 punch of Christian David and Sedrick Barefield had 24 and 23 points apiece, still not enough for the Bossing to break their losing skid.
The scores:
Meralco 103 – Newsome 19, Cansino 14, Banchero 13, Jose 12, Bates 10, Black 9, Almazan 8, Pasaol 4, Mendoza 4, Torres 2, Rios 0, Maguliano 0.
Blackwater 85 – David 24, Barefield 23, Escoto 11, Mallillin 7, Casio 6, Caperal 3, Jopia 3, Mitchell 2, Ayonayon 2, Tratter 2, Andrade 2, Ilagan 0, Chua 0, Corteza 0, Guinto 0.
Quarters: 22-19; 52-39; 76-62; 103-85.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
