Meralco sends short-handed Blackwater to 4th straight loss

MANILA, Philippines – Allen Durham posted 30 points, 16 rebounds, 7 assists, and a block as the Meralco Bolts handed the undermanned Blackwater Elite their 4th straight loss, 105-90, in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday, August 17, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Jared Dillinger added 16 markers on 7-of-13 shooting off the bench, while Bryan Faundo and Cliff Hodge shared 20 points and 10 rebounds between them.

The Bolts were quick to recover from a “painful loss” in double overtime to the Globalport Batang Pier last week. Head coach Norman Black gave credit to Blackwater, which played sans injured import Eric Dawson (back spasms) and local big JP Erram.

Erram, who averaged 11 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and two blocks this conference, was diagnosed with a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) after his right knee buckled during the game on Saturday, August 13.

“My experience over the years made me a little bit worried about this game,” Black said. “Mainly because I’ve been in a lot of games where the other team didn’t have an import or the team was missing key players and the team came out playing well.”

“It was a big win for us tonight. It allows us to keep close with the leaders,” he added.

Jimmy Alapag and Kelly Nabong added 8 points apiece as Meralco hiked its record to 4-3. Meralco dominated the boards, 55-35, and second chance points, 22-7.

Art Dela Cruz stepped up in the absence of key players with 23 points and 4 rebounds. Carlo Lastimosa and Reil Cervantes had 16 and 10 points, respectively.

The Elite continue down a slope, losing for the 5th time in 6 games. – Rappler.com