Meralco drew an impressive performance from debuting import Tony Bishop to clobber hardluck Blackwater, 98-77, for an impressive start to its PBA Governors’ Cup campaign Thursday, Dec. 16 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Bishop had 28 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks as the Bolts started the conference on a bright note despite having to deal with a last-minute change when original choice Shabazz Muhammad decided to back out.
“He did a great job in his first game scoring the basketball, rebounding, blocking shots, showing that he has a lot of versatility in his game,” Black said of Bishop, who will be tasked to continue Meralco’s success in the season-ending tournament.
Nards Pinto picked up where he left off in the Philippine Cup, scoring 11 of his 18 points in the second quarter which saw Meralco pull away and deal Blackwater another frustrating loss.
The Bossing fell to 0-3 this conference, extending their dubious record for futility with a 22nd consecutive defeat.
If the skid was not enough, Blackwater had to deal with injuries to Baser Amer (calf), Jvee Casio (ankle), Joshua Torralba (partial tear on ACL/MCL) and Andre Paras (knee).
Pinto’ second quarter points came in the first five minutes of the period which helped the Bolts turn an 18-16 lead to 34-25. Meralco would go up by 14 in the same quarter before going into halftime up 48-36.
Bishop and Pinto would hike the Bolts advantage to 21 after three as the Bossing were left frustrated with another stinging loss.
Rashawn McCarthy scored 19 points while import Jaylen Bond had 18 points, 15 rebounds and two assists for Blackwater.
The scores:
MERALCO 98 — Bishop 28, Pinto 18, Newsome 11, Almazan 10, Pasaol 6, Quinto 5, Belo 5, Maliksi 5, Hodge 4, Black 4, Jamito 2, Caram 0, Johnson 0.
BLACKWATER 77 — McCarthy 19, Bond 18, Ebona 9, McAloney 9, Daquioag 8, Chauca 4, Desiderio 3, Baloria 3, Amer 2, Escoto 2, Washington 0.
Quarters: 16-16, 48-36, 75-54, 98-77.