Brandon Bates and the rest of the Meralco Bolts added to the woes of the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Brandon Bates may not have scored much, but his contribution went beyond that as he helped Meralco eke out a 105-91 win over NLEX in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, Jan. 10.
Bolts coach Luigi Trillo could not help but be proud.
After all, Bates finished with eight points, seven rebounds, four blocks and one assist, posting a +/- 32 in Meralco’s fifth win in eight games in the mid-season tournament.
“Brandon was a revelation today. I think he set the tone,” said Trillo after the match at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
[ALSO READ: Ticking off my Bucket List: Meralco standout Aaron Black wants to see the world]
While Bates was the anchor on the defensive end, it was Akil Mitchell who was adjudged Player of the Game after a 24-point, 12-rebound, six-assist and four-steal performance.
Bong Quinto, who nailed the fadeaway jumper with 1:32 remaining to give Meralco a comfortable 101-91 cushion with 1:32 left to play, finished with 16 points, two rebounds, six assists and a steal.
CJ Cansino added 13 points.
NLEX, though, refused to go down without a fight.
Reinforcement Mike Watkins tried to get something going for the Road Warriors as he uncorked a triple with three minutes left to play, 91-97.
But Mitchell would respond with a huge defensive stop that led to his breakaway dunk on the other end.
NLEX's fourth straight loss sent Watkins’ double-double of 38 points and 21 rebounds, as well as his two steals and two blocks, down the drain.
The Road Warriors dropped to 3-5.
The Scores:
MERALCO 105 – Mitchell 24, Quinto 16, Cansino 13, Banchero 11, Black 11, Newsome 10, Hodge 9, Bates 8, Rios 3, Almazan 0, Caram 0.
NLEX 91 – Watkins 38, Bolick 19, Ramirez 12, Policarpio 6, Alas 5, Mocon 5, Torres 3, Semerad 3, Rodger 0, Fajardo 0, Miranda 0, Herndon 0, Amer 0.
Quarterscores: 29-24, 54-49, 77-70, 105-91