Maliksi posts 30, Mcdaniels registers double-double for Meralco in bounce back vs Blackwater

After a surprise loss against Terrafirma Dyip a week ago, the Meralco Bolts bounced back at the expense of Blackwater Bossing, 125-99, on Saturday at the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

It was wire-to-wire dominance for the Bolts, which survived Blackwater's late rally in the fourth quarter when the latter trimmed their deficit to seven, 94-87, after a 91-78 end to the third frame in Meralco's favor.

The Bolts still managed to build the lead up to 30, 125-95, late in the final frame after an 11-0 run with around three minutes left in the game.

Allein Maliksi went hot from beyond the arc with six triples to tally 30 points, while KJ Mcdaniels flirted with a triple-double after listing 24 markers, 15 boards, and eight dimes.

Blackwater reinforcement Shawn Glover made 20 points, while RK Ilagan had 15 points. Baser Amer and Jvee Casio added 14 and 13 points, respectively.

On Thursday, the Bolts (3-1) will play the San Miguel Beermen on Thursday while Blackwater (1-3) will face Terrafirma Dyip.

The scores:

Meralco 125 – Maliksi 30, McDaniels 24, Black 19, Caram 18, Newsome 9, Pascual 6, Banchero 5, Almazan 4, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Pasaol 0, Hugnatan 0.

Blackwater 99 – Glover 20, Ilagan 15, Amer 14, Casio 13, Rosario 11, Ular 8, Sena 6, Ayonayon 4, DiGregorio 4, Torralba 2, Taha 2, Banal 0, McCarthy 0, Hill 0.

Quarters: 31-22, 67-50, 91-78, 125-99.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News