PBA: Meralco overpowers import-less Terrafirma to clinch twice-to-beat bonus

Meralco clinched a twice-to-beat advantage heading into the quarterfinals of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup after crushing the Terrafirma Dyip, 113-69, on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Terrafirma played without import Mubashar Ali in its final game of the elimination round.

Meralco came out firing, building a 37-20 lead at the end of the first quarter before extending the gap to 61-42 at halftime.

The Bolts pulled further away in the second half, limiting the Dyip to just 27 combined points in the third and fourth quarters while scoring 28 and 24 points, respectively, in the final two periods.

Import Marvin Jones finished with 14 points, two rebounds, and one assist, while Chris Newsome also scored 14 points. CJ Cansino added 13 points, while Bong Quinto, Brandon Bates, and Javee Mocon chipped in 10 points each. Chris Banchero also contributed 10 points in Meralco’s balanced offensive attack.

Paolo Hernandez led Terrafirma with 15 points, while Geo Chiu posted a double-double of 12 rebounds and 10 points. Maverick Ahanmisi scored 12 points, while JM Bravo added 10.

Meralco improved to 8-3 ahead of its final elimination-round game against the Magnolia Hotshots, while Terrafirma ended its campaign with a 4-8 record.

Scores:

Meralco 113 – Jones 14, Newsome 14, Cansino 13, Mocon 11, Bates 11, Quinto 11, Banchero 10, Maliksi 8, Caram 5, Hodge 4, Magbuhos 4, Pascual 3, Rios 3, Comia 2, Brickman 0, Black 0.

Terrafirma 69 – Hernandez 15, M.Ahanmisi 12, Bravo 10, Chiu 10, J.Ahanmisi 6, Adamos 5, Umali 4, Hanapi 3, Paraiso 2, Gracia 2, Zaldivar 0, Catapusan 0.

Quarters: 37-20, 61-42, 89-53, 113-69.

—JKC, GMA News