MANILA, Philippines — Meralco bounced back from a sorry loss the last time out as the Bolts whipped the NorthPort Batang Pier, 114-104 to secure a playoff spot in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Allen Durham and Chris Newsome delivered big numbers for the Bolts, who booked their sixth win in eight starts to formalize their quarterfinal entry. TNT lords over Group A with its 6-1 record.
The Batang Pier dropped their second straight game, and slipped to 3-5 in Group A, their playoff hopes suddenly in jeopardy.
Compounding NorthPort's woes was import Venky Jois' absence early in the game due to an ankle injury.
Jois lasted just over eight minutes and could only contribute four points and two rebounds before leaving the game for good in the first quarter.
Durham, the three-time PBA Best Import, scattered 23 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and issued four assists for Meralco, which bounced back from a 108-99 loss to TNT.
Newsome had 20 points, 11 boards and four assists, while Chris Banchero knocked down three triples and finished with 17. CJ Cansino and Brandon Bates added 12 apiece in a solid scoring attack for the Bolts.
Arvin Tolentino carried the scoring load for the Batang Pier with 28 points, while Joshua Munzon added 17.