Meralco trounces KIA to extend winning run

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Meralco Bolts weather injuries to key guys and rolled to a 112-97 victory over the slumping KIA Picanto in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday, August 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“I thought it was a really get effort for our team offensively and defensively,” coach Norman Black said. “We came into this game and we didn’t want to stumble.”

Main guys Cliff Hodge and Reynel Hugnatan both went down with ankle injuries at different points during the game but Meralco still picked up its fourth straight win to stay undefeated atop the standings.

Import Allen Durham took charge with a triple-double of 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. He also had two blocks.

Chris Newsome tallied 19 points with 5 rebounds and 7 assists, while Baser Amer shot 8-of-16 from the field for 17 markers. Garvo Lanete chipped in 14 points as the Bolts led by as many as 24 points and recorded 31 assists.

KIA continues to languish at the bottom of the standings with its fifth straight loss.

Markeith Cummings led the Picanto with 20 points and 7 rebounds, while Reden Celda had 17 markers and 4 assists.

Glenn Khobuntin and Mark Yee had 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Forward Hodge, 29, emerged from the locker room after the game in crutches and his swollen right ankle bandaged. He will get his ankle checked Sunday night and find out how long he might be out for. 

“Right now it feels like a sprain because I’ve had plenty of sprains before. I feel like maybe it’s gonna be a week or two. Feels like it’s kind of swollen so we’ll see,” he said. “I’ll try to make it back as soon as possible.”

Scores: 

Meralco (112): Durham 25, Newsome 19, Amer 17, Lanete 14, Caram 8, Dillinger 8, Nabong 7, Hugnatan 6, Chua 4, Faundo 4, Hodge 0, Daquioag 0, Sedurifa 0. 

KIA (97): Cummings 20, Celda 17, Khobuntin 13, Yee 11, Nimes 8, Corpuz 8, Revilla 6, Deutchman 5, Paniamogan 4, Camson 3, Ballesteros 2, Elorde 0, Teng 0, Salva 0. 

Quarter scores: 26-15, 57-41, 82-66, 112-97.

 – Rappler.com