MERALCO banked on a balanced assault led by Allen Durham and Chris Newsome to trounce import-less Magnolia, 82-74, and seize the solo lead in Group A of the PBA Governors' Cup Saturday night in Panabo City.
Durham, ranged against all-Filipino opponents after Magnolia's new import Shabazz Muhammad failed to secure FIBA transfer clearance for the road matchup at the Panabo City Multi-Purpose Gym, scattered 15 points and hauled down 15 rebounds in leading Meralco to its third straight W and a leading 5-1 overall.
Meralco's local crew made sure the three-time Best Import awardee, who's still on his way to reaching peak form, wouldn't carry the work by himself.
Newsome fired 21 markers along with eight boards and three assists while Bong Quinto shot 16 to pace the Bolts' scoring parade.
Chris Banchero was also a major producer with 10 as rookie CJ Cansino chipped in six, all in the fourth, as the Bolts pulled it off in the absence of injured Allein Maliksi (bone spurs), Aaron Black (MCL), Cliff Hodge (back), Raymond Almazan (knee) and Norbert Torres (dengue).
The win completed a two-game sweep of Magnolia for Meralco in the double round-robin group play. The Bolts prevailed in their first-round meeting on opening night, 99-94, with the Hotshots' original import Glenn Robinson III on board.
The Hotshots saw their back-to-back streak halted by the charges of coach Luigi Trillo and dropped to 3-3 overall.
With Muhammad watching helplessly on the bench, it was Zav Lucero and Mark Barroca who took the cudgels for the Hotshots with 14 and 12, respectively.
The Bolts set the tone for this repeat victory with an 8-0 closing barrage in the second quarter that created a 39-30 separation. Not letting up, the reigning Philippine Cup champs stretched their lead to high of 13 at 60-47 then quelled the Lucero-led Magnolia uprising in the fourth with clutch baskets or free throws by Durham, Newsome, Quinto and Banchero. (OL)
The scores:
Meralco 82- Newsome 21, Quinto 16, Durham 15, Banchero 10, Cansino 6, Bates 5, Pascual 4, Mendoza 3, Caram 2, Jose 0, Rios 0, Pasaol 0.
Magnolia 74- Lucero 14, Barroca 12, Lee 11, Balanza 10, Sangalang 9, Abueva 7, Dionisio 7, Laput 2, Ahanmisi 2, Dela Rosa 0, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 19-14, 39-30, 62-49, 82-74
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