PBA: All-around effort helps Meralco crush Ginebra

Meralco Bolts’ Allein Maliksi in the PBA Philippine Cup game against Ginebra. -PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco ripped Barangay Ginebra to shreds on Friday night, pulling out a lopsided 91-73 victory—the first of its kind after the Bolts started its PBA Philippine Cup campaign with four close shaves.

The Bolts turned in a feisty first half and then an even feistier third period to leave the Gin Kings a gulf so massive to deal with heading into the final period at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

“Solid all-around (effort from) everybody,” said head coach Luigi Trillo, whose charges improved to a 2-3 win-loss mark in the centerpiece tournament.

READ: As Ginebra shift into new offense gear, Tim Cone hopes defense remains the same

“We caught Ginebra on an off night. It’s different out there with Scottie (Thompson) not around,” he went on.

Allein Maliksi had 25 points, Chris Newsome added 19, while Aaron Black chipped in 12 more in the blowout that gave the crowd darlings their first embarrassing beatdown in a long while.

Maverick Ahanmisi had 14 points, while Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar tossed in 13 each in the losing stand, which saw the Gin Kings log their lowest-scoring performance since losing to Phoenix, 82-77, last Dec. 9 during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

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Ginebra continued to miss cornerstone Thompson, who is dealing with a back problem, but it also didn’t help Tim Cone’s crew—still replete with stars and seasoned players—that they racked up 19 turnovers against Meralco’s only six. That foul outing doomed the club to its first loss in three meetings.

Meralco hopes to get a streak going against Terrafirma on April 3, while Ginebra takes on corporate sibling Magnolia on Mar. 31.