PBA Philippine Cup

Returning Meralco rips Terrafirma to keep solo second spot

Martin Mendoza

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Returning Meralco rips Terrafirma to keep solo second spot

STEPPING UP. Meralco guard Anjo Caram tries to shake off the defense of Terrafirma's JP Calvo.

PBA Images

Sidelined for a week due to health and safety protocols, Meralco shows no signs of rust in its 12-point win over Terrafirma in the PBA Philippine Cup

The Meralco Bolts showed no signs of rust in their return to action as they crushed the Terrafirma Dyip, 95-83, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga on Thursday, September 16.

Six players scored in double figures for the Bolts, but it was Bong Quinto who led the way with 17 points and 8 rebounds as they remained No. 2 in the standings with a 6-2 record.

Despite coming off a one-week absence due to the league’s health and safety protocols, the undermanned Bolts, who missed the services of key players Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge, hardly looked like they missed a beat as they quickly built a double-digit advantage, 23-12, with two and a half minutes to play in the opening quarter.

The Dyip, led by big men Aldrich Ramos and Joseph Gabayni, managed to crawl back and kept within striking distance with the Bolts as they trailed by only 3 points, 70-73, at the end of the third period.

However, Meralco flipped the switch in the final frame and went on a furious 23-9 rally to extend its lead to its biggest at 14 points, 93-79, which proved too much for the struggling Dyip to overcome with only two minutes left in the ball game.

Anjo Caram added 13 points for the Bolts, while Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan chipped in 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Rookie Alvin Pasaol and veteran big man Reynel Hugnatan also put up 10 points apiece for Meralco in the victory.

Ramos topscored for the Dyip with 15 points, while Gabayni had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds as Terrafirma suffered its third straight loss and dropped down to 3-7 in the standings.

The Scores

Meralco 95 – Quinto 17, Caram 13, Maliksi 12, Almazan 11, Hugnatan 10, Pasaol 10, Belo 0, Jackson 5, Pinto 4, Jamito 2, Baclao 2, Black 0.

Terrafirma 83 – Ramos 15, Gabayni 14, Tiongson 10, Celda 10, Calvo 9, Camson 6, Mccarthy 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Adams 2.

Quarters: 25-19, 50-49, 73-70, 95-83.

– Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!