PBA: Meralco bounces back, extends NLEX’s losing skid

Chris Banchero and the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against NLEX Road Warriors. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Meralco recovered from a narrow beating at the hands of a sister team and crushed another in NLEX, 105-91, on Friday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

The Bolts, this time, played steadily throughout the contest at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila to send the Road Warriors reeling to their fourth straight defeat in the conference.

“We haven’t been having good starts. [In] the last three games, in the first quarter, we’ve been getting beat. Last game, we gave up 27 points. This game, we were just more in rhythm,” head coach Luigi Trillo said.

Meralco Bolts’ Import Akil Mitchell in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against NLEX Road Warriors. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Meralco lots to TNT last Wednesday.

Import Akil Mitchell had 24 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and four steals as Bong Quinto tossed in 16 points to lead four more locals who scored in twin digits in the triumph that had the utility club improving to 5-3 in the standings.

Mike Watkins had a monster 38 points and 21 rebounds, but the import’s herculean efforts weren’t enough to lift the Road Warriors, who drew only 19 points from Robert Bolick Jr. and 12 from rookie Brandon Ramirez, thus sliding to 3-5 to join desperate Magnolia just about a shade outside the Top 8 of the showcase.

Up next for Meralco is league-leading NorthPort. NLEX, meanwhile, tries to stop the bleeding against TNT.