PBA: Meralco beats NorthPort to secure playoffs berth

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Banchero during a PBA Governors’ Cup game. –PBA IMAGES

Meralco made the most out of its roster improvement on Saturday night, defeating NorthPort, 114-104, and assuring itself a quarterfinal berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Led by Chris Banchero, and the returning Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan, the Bolts rolled to their sixth win in eight outings following the triumph at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.

“The coaching staff always tells us we can’t make any excuses regardless of who’s on the floor. We have enough players even when people are down to take care of business and we did that. But it’s always good to have Cliff back and Mond back—they make life a lot easier,” said the Fil-Italian standout who finished with 19 points.

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“We want to use the next two games as building blocks going into the playoffs,” added coach Luigi Trillo.

Allen Durham had 23 points while Chris Newsome 20. Anjo Caram and rookie CJ Cansino chipped in 12 each as Almazan and Hodge combined for 11 in their return from their respective injuries.

Through the win, Meralco rebounded from a stinging 108-99 loss to TNT earlier this week.

NorthPort got the goods from Arvin Tolentino who finished with 28 points and seven rebounds, while Joshua Munzon added 17 points and two steals as the Batang Pier absorbed a second-straight loss and dropped to 3-5 overall.

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Giving the Batang Pier a double blackeye was the premature exit of workhorse import Venky Jois, who was stretchered out of the court early after hurting—and hearing a pop—in his right foot.

Meralco will battle Converge next before closing its elimination round bid against Terrafirma.

NorthPort, meanwhile, hopes to still make the next round shooting for wins against Magnolia and TNT.