Meralco snaps skid with win over Blackwater  

 

The Meralco Bolts returned to their winning ways after dominating the Blackwater Elite, 106-83, on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

 

"Good overall team effort. Our goal right now is just to make the quarterfinals," said Meralco head coach Norman Black. 

 

"It's just nice to get a win after two straight losses."

 

Meralco raced to the top of the standings with 1 5-0 win-loss card before losing their last two games to give Alaska a share of the lead at 5-2. With the win, they reclaimed first place.

 

It was all Meralco from the get-go, as the Bolts raced to a 30-21 lead after the first period. They limited the Elite to just 14 in the second while scoring 22 to enjoy a 17-point lead at the half, 52-35. It was all about lead management from then on, as the Elite struggled to bring the lead down to less than 17 points in the final frame.

 

Arinze Onuaku led the Bolts with 27 points and 17 boards, while Baser Amer and Ryan Buenafe were solid off the bench with 15 and 11 points, respectively.

 

"Offensively, we did a better job of moving the basketball," Black added. "Defensively, we were very solid."

 

The Bolts shackled Blackwater import MJ Rhett to just eight points and 10 rebounds with no fieldgoals, going 0 of 7 from the field. 

 

Carlo Lastimosa and Mike Cortez were there to combine for 31 points as starters, while Art Dela Cruz added 10 markers off the bench. — APG, GMA News