Bolts run down Bossing to stay within playoff bonus range
Meralco blew an opponent off the floor for the second time in three days, with a 108-93 win over also-ran Blackwater on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, boosting the Bolts’ chances of sewing up a twice-to-beat advantage in the first round of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
Just two days after demolishing Barangay Ginebra, 112-91, the Bolts again fired on all cylinders and improved to a 7-3 record, now in a tie with the Gin Kings, who were also trying to navigate their way of a second game in three nights against Rain or Shine at press time.
“We’re used to playing almost every other day; we had times in the EASL where we played three or four games (like that),” coach Luigi Trillo said. “We also shot the ball well. It’s a testament to these guys because they came locked in.
“It gives us a chance to put pressure and get a chance for that top four [spot].”
Meralco started strong in the first half, building a 61-51 cushion at the end of the first two quarters.
And much like their game against the Kings, the Bolts broke the game wide open in the third quarter, opening with a 16-9 run capped off by a Marvin Jones slam at the 5:46, as the Bossing were never able to recover on the way to their ninth loss in 11 games.
Strong finish
The rest of the team is playing with a sense of urgency in closing out the elimination round in the strongest note they could, with Chris Banchero shooting 14 points that went with eight assists.
“We needed this win so the offense was going, we’re trying to make a run for that top four,” said Banchero. “Our defense was also good. (Robert) Upshaw (the Blackwater import) is a tough player, so we knew we had to play good defense and we knew we had to play better in the second half.”
Jones was again solid for Meralco with 26 points and 12 rebounds. CJ Cansino and Bong Quinto chipped in with 12 points each.
Upshaw, despite the defense played on him by the Bolts, still finished with 31 points and 12 boards, with Sedrick Barefield scoring 16 before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.
