Meralco Bolts import Marvin Jones against Blackwater Bossing in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup. PBA Images.
MANILA — The Meralco Bolts secured a twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals after routing Blackwater Bossing, 108-93, Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The Bolts notched their seventh win in 10 games to strengthen their hold in the top four, joining the NLEX Road Warriors, the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters, and Barangay Ginebra Ginebra as teams with a playoff incentive.
Import Marvin Jones led the charge with 26 points and 12 rebounds as Meralco pulled away in the second half after building a 10-point cushion at halftime.
The Bolts stretched the lead to as much as 26, 98-72, following an Aaron Black triple with 8:21 remaining, effectively putting the game out of reach.
Chris Banchero added 14 points and eight assists, while CJ Cansino and Bong Quinto chipped in 12 points apiece. Black finished with 11, while Chris Newsome had 10 markers.
“We know how important it is to get to the top four. But just because we have that, we can’t let our guard down,” said Banchero.
Blackwater, meanwhile, absorbed its ninth loss in 11 games and seventh in its last eight outings.
Robert Upshaw III returned from injury and posted 31 points and 12 rebounds, but his effort went to waste as the Bossing committed 19 turnovers.
The Scores:
Meralco 108 — Jones 26, Banchero 14, Cansino 12, Quinto 12, Black 11, Newsome 10, Brickman 6, Hodge 6, Mocon 5, Bates 2, Maliksi 2, Pascual 1, Comia 1, Rios 0, Magbuhos 0.
Blackwater 93 — Upshaw III 31, Barefield 16, Zamar 11, Mallillin 9, Una 9, Austria 7, Trawter 5, Murrell 2, Jopia 2, Altamirano 1, David 0, Andrade 0, Guinto 0.
Quarterscores: 35-25, 61-51, 87-67, 108-93.