MERALCO went on a huge finishing kick to pummel NLEX, 105-91, on Friday night and get back to its winning ways in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Akil Mitchell had 24 points and 11 rebounds while five other players scored in double digits for the Bolts, who bounced back from their close defeat to TNT to improve their record to 5-3.
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The Bolts finished the game on a 28-13 blast to break open what until then was a tight contest, dealing the Road Warriors their fourth straight loss and fifth in eight games overall.
Bong Quinto had 16 points and six rebounds, while rookie CJ Cansino played his best game since his return from injury when he collected 13 points on 1-for-2 from fours and 1-for-4 from threes for Meralco.
Chris Banchero and Aaron Black had 11 points each, while Chris Newsome had 10 for the Bolts.
Mitchell also had four steals in the game, and joined forces on defense with Brandon Bates, who had four shot blocks for Meralco.
At the end of the day, Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said it was the 29-24 first quarter that helped the Bolts be in the match-up.
“We haven’t been having good starts the last three games. In the first quarter, we’ve been getting beat. Last game, we gave up 27 points (against TNT in the first quarter). This game, we were more in rhythm. We scored 29-24. We ended the fourth quarter better, 28-21. So you can see that we’re in rhythm,” said Trillo.
The Bolts also took advantage of the Road Warriors playing their first game of 2025, with their previous match being 21 days ago.
“Not to take anything away from us, but I think it’s also hard when it’s their first game back. They (NLEX) looked good at the start. But after a while, it’s hard when it’s their first game back,” said Trillo.
Michael Watkins had 38 points and 21 rebounds, while Robert Bolick had 19 points and 10 assists for the Road Warriors.
Brandon Ramirez was a revelation in his first game with NLEX, adding 12 points and shooting 2-for-4 from threes.
The scores:
Meralco 105 – Mitchell 24, Quinto 16, Cansino 13, Banchero 11, Black 11, Newsome 10, Hodge 9, Bates 8, Rois 3, Caram 0, Almazan 0.
NLEX 91 – Watkins 38, Bolick 19, Ramirez 12, Policarpio 6, Alas 5, Mocon 5, Torres 3, Semerad 3, Rodger 0, Miranda 0, Herndon 0, Fajardo 0, Amer 0.
Quarters: 29-24; 54-49; 77-70; 105-91.
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