Meralco, Rain Or Shine notch wins to open Governors’ Cup campaigns

MANILA, Philippines — The Meralco Bolts and the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters cruised to victories to commence their respective 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup campaigns on Friday, July 21 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

The Elasto Painters wrapped up the double-header with a 98-96 edging of the GlobalPort Batang Pier.

The Elasto Painters kept GlobalPort at bay for the entirety of the first half, but found their foes inching closer in the third quarter as they were outscored by the Batang Pier, 31-21.

GlobalPort continued to fight in the final frame as they forced a deadlock at 96 with under a minute left on the clock. Raymond Almazan later earned a trip to the stripe and converted both charities to seal a 98-96 lead.

Terrence Romeo had a chance to send the game into overtime, but was not able to break through Rain Or Shine’s pressure defense.

J.D. Weatherspoon debuted with a double-double of 25 points and 15 boards, while Maverick Ahanmisi delivered a solid performance of 17 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Almazan finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Rain Or Shine.

Romeo anchored the Batang Pier’s offense with 28 points and 5 assists. He got ample support from Stanley Pringle, who pitched in 21 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 dimes.

Batang Pier import Jabril Trawick fouled out midway through the 4th quarter, finishing with just 3 points and two rebounds in a little over 16 minutes of action.

Earlier in the day, the Bolts opened their Governors’ Cup season with a resounding statement as they earned a lopsided victory against the struggling Blackwater Elite, 107-78.

The Bolts held the wheel from the get-go with Baser Amer in charge, and he finished with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting to go with 6 rebounds and 8 assists.

Reinforcement Allen Durham, who led Meralco to its first ever Finals appearance, is back for another title hunt in the season-ending conference.

The reigning Best Import registered a double-double night of 18 points and 21 rebounds in the first game of his tour of duty.

Garvo Lanete and Jared Dillinger had 15 and 14, respectively for the Bolts.

Trevis Simpson, former University of North Carolina at Greenboro standout, meanwhile topscored for the Elite with 25 points coupled with 8 boards.

Meralco will next face the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in an anticipated rematch of the 2016 Govs’ Cup Finals on Sunday, July 23. – Rappler.com