PBA: Meralco clobbers Converge for solo lead in group A

Meralco Bolts’ Anjo Caram against a Converge defender during the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Meralco overcame a slow start and its continuing injury woes to roll past Converge, 116-88, Wednesday and move on top of Group A midway into the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Anjo Caram and Alvin Pasaol backed up import Allen Durham and Chris Banchero to power the Bolts to their fourth win in five games and overtake the TNT Tropang Giga for sole possession of top spot in the group.

The third consecutive triumph came despite Cliff Hodge joining Allein Maliksi, Raymond Almazan and Aaron Black on the sidelines with a back problem that will sideline him for about two to three weeks.

READ: PBA: Chris Newsome’s return to Meralco from injury ends in win

Caram scored 11 of his 16 points in the third while Pasaol had 12 in the second half as Meralco took control after it slowly came back from a 15-point deficit in the opening period.

Durham powered his way for 27 points, 14 rebounds and six assists in another indication that three-time Best Import is slowly gaining back into form.

Banchero, meanwhile, produced 24 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Bolts.

READ: PBA: Allen Durham says more work to be done for him and Meralco

Converge dropped two in a row to end the first round with a 2-3 record despite 33 points from import Scotty Hopson.

Alec Stockton had 13 points, four rebounds and four assists and JL delos Santos added 12 for Converge in the loss.

Behind Hopson, the FiberXers went ahead 13-3 after tipoff before going up 23-8 in the first, but Banchero led the Bolts on a comeback trail in the second and went to the locker room up 53-50 at the break.