Akil Mitchell of Meralco Bolts during a match against San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Candon Metropolis. –PBA IMAGES
Meralco gagged San Miguel’s best players in the closing frame Saturday night for a 100-93 victory in a rare PBA Commissioner’s Cup match at Candon Metropolis Area in Ilocos Sur.
Powered by import Akil Mitchell and excellent play from Chris Newsome, plus another stellar performance from Chris Banchero, the Bolts cruised to a third straight win for a 7-3 record and a four-way tie at the half. classification.
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READ: PBA: Win vs Northport barometer of Meralco’s progress, says Banchero
The victory gives Meralco the opportunity to take advantage twice to win for the quarterfinals.
Mitchell had 26 points and 16 rebounds, Newsome added 20 more in the scoring effort in which Banchero also contributed 19. This limited the Beermen to just 13 points in a revealing third quarter that put the powerhouse in a dangerous situation in the race. . for a playoff spot.
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Chris Newsome of Meralco Bolts during a match against San Miguel Beermen in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Candon Metropolis. –PBA IMAGES
San Miguel, which was also coming off a victory over corporate sibling Magnolia, fell to 4-5 (win-loss) just inside the qualifying threshold for the next round.
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The Beermen got 20 points and 13 rebounds from current MVP June Mar Fajardo and 16 more points from guard CJ Pérez.
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New import Malik Pope was barely present, finishing with just 14 points and nine rebounds, mediocre numbers when compared to the numbers of the former San Miguel imports who also played alongside their imposing cornerstone.
Meralco will have a chance to reinforce its bid for a playoff bonus when it faces Barangay Ginebra and then Magnolia.
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Meanwhile, San Miguel will have three more chances to right the ship and when they face NorthPort, Converge and league-leading TNT.
The scores:
MERALCO 100 – Mitchell 26, Newsome 20, Banchero 19, Reyson 7, Almazán 6, Cansino 6, Mendoza 4, Hodge 4, Ríos 3, Torres 3, Quinto 2, Bates 0, Caram 0,
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QUARTERS: 26-18, 46-47, 80-80, 100-93.
