The Meralco Bolts arrested a two-game slide as they walloped the Ginebra Gin Kings in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Friday, March 15.
Meralco got off to a blazing start as it thumped Ginebra, 91-73, to check a two-game skid in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Friday, March 15.
Allein Maliksi was at the forefront of the Bolts’ vicious attack, which allowed them to zoom to 46 points at halftime while holding the Gin Kings to 27 points.
Malkisi finished with 25 points built on four triples, earning him the Player of the Game honors.
Chris Newsome and Aaron Black added 19 and 12 points, respectively, for Meralco, which improved to a 2-3 slate at eighth while handing Ginebra its first loss after a hot 2-0 start.
Erstwhile leader Gin Kings slid to a share of fifth spot with TNT with their identical marks.
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Ginebra just could not solve the Bolts riddle.
Meralco refused to ease on the gas pedal in the second half, with Maliksi heating up and hitting a triple with 1:21 remaining in the third period as the team erected a commanding 76-47 advantage.
The Bolts were never in any danger of relinquishing that sizeable lead from there.
"Maybe we caught Ginebra on its off night," said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
"We had such a rivalry with Ginebra. This is kind of a must-win game before a two-week break."
Indeed, the Gin Kings did not play their brand of basketball. For a team that takes pride in ball movement, Ginebra was limited to just 11 assists.
The Gin Kings averaged 25 dimes in their first two victories against Rain or Shine and Phoenix.
Maverick Ahanmisi led Ginebra with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists. Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar chipped in 13 markers apiece.
Meralco vs Ginebra Scores:
MERALCO 91 – Maliksi 25, Newsome 19, Black 12, Mendoza 8, Banchero 5, Hodge 4, Quinto 4, Pasaol 4, Almazan 3, Caram 2, Rios 2, Pascual 2, Dario 1, Torres 0.
GINEBRA 73 – Ahanmisi 14, Standhardinger 13, J.Aguilar 13, David 8, Onwubere 6, Malonzo 4, Tenorio 3, Pessumal 3, Gumaru 2, R. Aguilar 2, Pringle 2, Pinto 1, Cu 0.
Quarterscores: 23-14, 46-27, 76-52, 91-73