MERALCO hardly missed the services of Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge and scored a convincing 95-83 win over Terrafirma in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

In their first game back since September 3, the Bolts needed only a strong fourth-quarter run to roll back the Dyip and secure their sixth win in eight matches.

More importantly, the win enabled Meralco to boost its chances for a top two finish and a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

Six players, led by Kier John Quinto, scored in double figures for the Bolts, who played minus Newsome and Hodge due to the league’s health and safety protocols.

Quinto topscored with 17 points,eight rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes.

Anjo Caram added 13 points and five assists, Allein Maliksi contributed 12 points and six rebounds and Raymond Almazan had 11 points for the Bolts, who outscored Dyip, 22-13, in the final quarter.

Aldrech Ramos led the Dyip’s losing effort with 15 points and five rebounds, followed by Joseph Gabayni with a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the PBA resumes with a heavy three-game bill featuring six teams fighting for quarterfinal berths on Friday.

It will be Magnolia (6-3) against NorthPort (4-4) in the curtainraiser at 12”30 p.m., followed by San Miguel Beer (5-3) against Phoenix Super LPG (4-6) at 3 p.m. and Barangay Ginebra (4-5) against Alaska Milk (2-4) at 6 p.m.

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said the Hotshots need to take care of business against the Batang Pier to secure a quarterfinal slot and keep their hopes for the No.2 spot alive.

“I think seven wins are enough secure a quarterfinals spot. We also have a chance at the No.2 spot. So very important yung game against NorthPort,” said Victolero.

The Batng Pier, however, are looking to bounce back after seeing their three-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of Talk N Text last Wednesday.

The scores :

Meralco (95) — Quinto 17, Caram 13, Maliksi 12, Almazan 11, Hugnatan 10, Pasaol 10, Belo 9, Jackson 5, Pinto 4, Jamito 2, Baclao 2, Black 0.
TerraFirma (83) – – Ramos 15, Gabayni 14, Tiongson 10, Celda 10, Batiller 9, Calvo 9, Camson 6, McCarthy 4, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Adams 2.
Quarterscores: 25-19, 50-49, 73-70, 95-83.