PBA: Bong Quinto lauds Meralco’s bench mob in win vs Terrafirma

Meralco Bolts’ Bong Quinto unleashes a four-point shot during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Terrafirma Dyip. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Bong Quinto’s heroics set the pace for Meralco Bolts’ to a 2-0 start in the PBA Philippine Cup, but he had plenty of help from the bench on Sunday.

After the Bolts’ dominant 118-80 win at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Quinto lauded Meralco’s second and third unit for leading the way in their demolition of the Terrafirma  Dyip.

“We’re always ready in every game,” said a proud Quinto.

READ: PBA: Meralco clobbers Terrafirma by 38 for 2-0 start

“In our practices, coach Luigi (Trillo) and coach Nenad (Vucinic) really push all of us to do what we have to do every game. They make us do things in practice so we’ll get used to things.”

Quinto, as a starter, finished with an all-around game of 13 points, including a four-pointer, five assists and three rebounds in 24 minutes of action to help Meralco land an early spot as the top team of the conference with a 2-0 card.

The Letran product did damage, but it was the bench that truly pummeled the Dyip to make them slide to 1-1 for the young conference.

SCHEDULE: PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup 2025

Meralco Bolts’ CJ Cansino during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Terrafirma Dyip. –PBA IMAGES

CJ Cansino finished with a team-high 19 points plus four rebounds, two steals and an assist to match while Kurt Reyson registered 16 points, three assists and two steals in the win.

Quinto certainly didn’t leave their efforts unnoticed.

“Everyone who was used today was ready to play, especially our new guys like CJ, Kurt, Alvin (Pasaol) and Brandon (Bates),” he said. “Actually, everyone who saw action really contributed today.”

The troika of Pasaol, Bates and Jolo Mendoza—all from the bench—helped Meralco’s cause with 11 points each to their names.

Meralco looks to start even stronger as it gusn for a 3-0 record on Wednesday against San Miguel Beer in the league’s 50th-year anniversary at Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Pasay.