PBA: CJ Cansino drops career-game to carry Meralco to Philippine Cup quarterfinals

CJ Cansino torched Converge with a career-high showing to help Meralco pull off a wire-to-wire victory, 105-84, and extend its streak to three in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center Antipolo. 

The sophomore guard nailed a career-best 29 points, 20 of which he poured in a dominant first half for the Bolts, while also grabbing five rebounds and one assist to help his team reach the quarterfinals stage with a 6-4 card. 

The FiberXers, who have already sealed their playoff ticket even prior to this game, absorbed back-to-back losses to slip to a similar 6-4 win-loss record. 

Cansino was on a mission early, pouring in 12 of his total points in the pivotal first quarter as the Bolts erupted for 33 points while holding Converge to just seven, creating the separation they needed with three quarters still to play.

Other cast made the contributions in the third with Aaron Black and Chris Newsome leading the offense this time as the latter converted a jumper that sent Meralco to its biggest lead at 69-38 midway through the frame. 

Then it was Hodge and Cansino who took care of business down the stretch as the Bolts completed the total mastery of Converge, which only led once throughout the game when the FiberXers opened the game with a 2-0 start off a Deschon Winston basket. 

Hodge put together 18 points and five rebounds while Black and Raymond Almazan chipped in 16 and 14 markers each with the former also grabbing eight rebounds and five assists. Newsome finished with 10 points and five dimes. 

The loss spoiled yet another all-around number from rookie Juan Gomez de Liaño, who scattered 27 points, five rebounds, and five assists. 

Scores:

Meralco 105 – Cansino 29, Hodge 18, Black 16, Almazan 14, Newsome 10, Banchero 6, Quinto 6, Bates 4, Reyson 2, Pascual 0.

Converge 84 – Gomez de Liano 27, Arana 19, Baltazar 14, Concepcion 8, Stockton 6, Garcia 4, Winston 4, Muyang 2, Caralipio 0, Eguilos 0, Racal 0.

Quarters: 33-7, 55-32, 85-60, 105-84.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News