Tony Bishop announces arrival with double-double as Meralco sends Blackwater reeling

Tony Bishop made sure his PBA debut was off to a rousing start after steering Meralco to a 98-77 victory over hapless Blackwater in the 2021 Governors' Cup on Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The US-born Panamanian, who was coming in as a replacement for Shabazz Muhammad, drilled a double-double of 28 points and 13 rebounds to go along with two assists and two steals as the Bolts opened their campaign on the right foot.

Holding a 48-36 lead at the half, the wards of Meralco head coach Norman Black sizzled in the second half after outscoring the Bossing, 27-18, to establish a 75-54 cushion heading into the payoff period.

During that big third quarter run, the 32-year-old Bishop poured in seven of his overall output while Nards Pinto and Chris Newsome combined for 11 points.

A triple by Alvin Pasaol at the 2:28 mark of fourth quarter gave Meralco its biggest lead of the game, 95-71. Rashawn McCarthy tried to pump life back to Blackwater and notched six straight points, but by then the gap was too wide to catch.

The loss extended Blackwater's losing streak to 22 and dropped them to 0-3 early in the team standings.

McCarthy led the offensive charge for the Bossing with 19 points, three rebounds, and three assists but import Jaylen Bond was also a key cog for the club with his double-double of 18 markers and 15 boards.

The scores:

Meralco 98 - Bishop 28, Pinto 18, Newsome 11, Almazan 10, Pasaol 6, Belo 5, Maliksi 5, Quinto 5, Black 4, Hodge 4, Jamito 2, Johnson 0, Caram 0, Baclao 0

Blackwater 77 - McCarthy 19, Bond 18, Ebona 9, Mcaloney 9, Daquioag 8, Chauca 4, Baloria 3, Desiderio 3, Escoto 2, Amer 2, Washington 0, Gabriel 0

Quarter scores: 16-16, 48-36, 75-54, 98-77

—MGP, GMA News