BACK in sync.
Meralco got its rhythm back and mercilessly drubbed Blackwater, 106-83, to snap its two-game slide and regain sole possession of the top spot in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Arinze Onuaku was back to his steady self, scoring a game-high 27 points, while rookie Baser Amer knocked down all of his four triples to score 15 points as they backstopped the Bolts’ game-long assault.
The victory not only snapped the Bolts’ losing run, it also made them the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals as they improved to a league-best 6-2 slate, half a game ahead of idle Alaska.
The Elite, on the other hand, continued to slip as they dropped to 3-5 all the way to 10th place.
The Bolts started taking control when they ended the first quarter with a 13-4 run to grasp a 30-21 lead going to the second.
Meralco continued its run in the second period with a swift 5-0 start, highlighted by Amer’s triple to extend its lead to 14 points, 35-21, at the 10:55 mark.
The rejuvenated Bolts never looked back.
“It was a good overall team effort,” said Meralco coach Norman Black of his team’s dominant win. “Defensively, we were very solid and offensively, we moved the ball well. It just feels good to win after two straight losses.”
The Bolts even led by 17, 52-35, at the half.
The Elite were never in it and weren’t able to manufacture any sort of rally in the second half as the Bolts continued pounding hard on their helpless foe.
Ryan Buenafe was the other Bolt in double-figures as he added 11 markers.
It was also the first game for Meralco that it played without veteran gunner Gary David, who is now a free agent after he and the Bolts decided to part ways just last Thursday following the guard’s “lack of dedication” and “insubordination,” according to his now former team.
With his release, the 37-year-old David is now a free agent and can sign up with any team that wants to seek his services.
The scores:
MERALCO 106—Onuaku 27, Amer 15, Buenafe Ry. 11, Alapag 8, Hodge 7, Buenafe Ro. 6, Caram 6, Hugnatan 6, Newsome 6, Bono 4, Dillinger 4, Faundo 4, Ferriols 2, Guevarra 0.
BLACKWATER 83—Lastimosa 16, Cortez 15, Dela Cruz 10, Rhett 8, Reyes 7, Vosotros 7, Erram 6, Sena 4, Cervantes 3, Bulawan 2, Gamalinda 2, Tiongson 2, Agovida 1, Ballesteros 0, Agovida 0.
Quarters: 30-21, 52-35, 81-62, 106-83.