MANILA – Meralco Bolts stayed in contention in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals after a 111-81 victory over San Miguel Beermen on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Allen Durham finished with 35 points, 26 rebounds and seven assists while Reynel Hugnatan caught fire with 19 points, including three triples, for the Bolts (5-6 win-loss).
The Bolts surged to a 17-5 start on shots from Durham, Hugnatan and Chris Newsome. The Beermen slowly clawed their way back behind Kevin Murphy and Alex Cabagnot to come to within 25-26.
San Miguel went to snatch a 40-26 lead early in the second period but Meralco were quick to catch up, with back-to-back treys from Rommel Canaleta and inside hits by Durham cutting the deficit 44-49 at the half.
In the third canto the Bolts turned things around with inside baskets from Durham and outside hits from Newsome and Hugnatan for a 71-56 edge. The Beermen attempted a rally but managed to come to within just 10.
Meralco pulled away for good in the final quarter, with Hugnatan detonating back-to-back outside shots and Clifford Hodge and Baser Amer driving inside for a 33-point lead – their biggest in the game.
The Bolts will have to wait for the outcome to the face-off between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings (8-2) and TNT KaTropa (4-6) to determine their placing in the playoffs.
A victory by KaTropa will forge them a knockout match with the Bolts for the last quarterfinals seat, while a defeat by KaTropa will push the Bolts to the seventh seed and send NLEX Road Warriors to No. 8.
Meanwhile the Beermen (6-5) finished on sixth place and will have a twice-to-win disadvantage against the third seed Alaska Aces./PN
