MERALCO Bolts posted their third straight win, even as Magnolia Chicken Timplados secured their second win in a row in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.

The Bolts dominated Converge FiberXers, 116-88, while the Hotshots outlasted an import-less NorthPort Batang Pier, 105-94, in crucial Group A encounters.

Three-time Best Import of the Conference awardee Allen Durham and Chris Banchero combined for 51 points for the coach Luigi Trillo-mentored Bolts, who improved their record to 4-1.

Durham finished with double-double performance of 27 points and 14 rebounds while Banchero added 24 points, five rebounds and five assists for Meralco, which took control after intermission.

The Bolts also got 16 points from Anjo Caram, 12 points from Alvin Pasaol and 10 points from Jose Mendoza.

“We didn’t start out too well… but as the game progressed it seems like we had more of a sense of urgency on offense and defense,” said Trillo.

“I thought we played better defense in the second quarter and then we started the third quarter big. I think what’s nice is we have guys… ready to play when guys go down.”

Import Scotty Hopson led Converge with 33 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Alec Stockton added 13 points while John Delos Santos had 12 points for the FiberXers, who fell to 2-3.

Jeo Ambohot chipped in 10 points.

Later, Glenn Robinson II led all scorers as the Hotshots pulled away late to send the import Venky Jois-less Batang Pier to their second straight setback.

Robinson III finished with 25 points on 9-of-17 shooting on top of 11 rebounds, four steals, three assists and two blocks for coach Chito Victolero.

Paul Lee added 20 points, 11 assists and five assists and Zav Lucero recorded 16 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks against his former team.

Cade Flores tallied 23 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks for NorthPort, which put up a strong fight despite playing minus Vois and Wil Navarro.

Arvin Tolentino was limited to 11 points after dropping 51-points against Converge last week.

Tolentino also had 12 rebounds for Batang Pier, who fell to 2-3.

The scores:

First game

Meralco (116) — Durham 27, Banchero 24, Caram 16, Pasaol 12, Mendoza 10, Cansino 6, Newsom 5, Quinto 5, Jose 5, Rios 3, Bates 2, Pascual 1
Converge (88) — Hopson 33, Stockton 13, Delos Santos 12, AMbohot 10, Santos 8, Winston 5, Maagdenberg 4, Andrade 3, Fleming 0, Racal 0, Nieto 0, Caralipio 0, Melecio 0, Fornilos 0, Cabagnot 0.
Quarterscores: 26-32, 53-50, 86-73, 116-88.

Second game

Magnolia (105) — Robinson 25, Lee 20, Lucero 16, Ahanmisi 10, Abueva 10, Sangalang 8, Barroca 5, Dionisio 5, Balanza 2, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 1, Mendoza 0, Eriobu 0.
Northport (94) — Flores 23, Munzon 13, Cuntapay 12, Tolentino 11, Yu 10, Onwubere 7, Jalalon 5, Bulanadi 4, Tratter 4, Nelle 3, Amores 2, Taha 0
Quarterscores: 23-22, 46-46, 76-73, 105-94.

Games Friday

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
5 p.m. Blackwater vs. NLEX
7:30 p.m. Ginebra vs. Phoenix

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya