Meralco zaps retooled NorthPort
Published May 24, 2023 12:52 pm
Meralco is off to a good start under the tutelage of new head coach Luigi Trillo.
The Bolts zapped the revamping NorthPort Batang Pier in the final frame to come away with a 97-89 victory and open their PBA on Tour campaign on a bright note at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, May 24. Allein Maliksi and Bong Quinto took turns in leading Meralco in the back-breaking fourth quarter run, highlighted by a blazing 14-2 start that allowed the Bolts to pull away for good and give the tandem of Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic their first win. Maliksi caught fire from deep, drilling four triples on his way to game-high 21 points, including seven in the final frame while Quinto scattered nine of his 14 points in the final frame. Anjo Caram added 11 points while Cliff Hodge finished a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. New acquisition Norbert Torres also looked good in his first game in Bolts uniform with 10 points. Meralco actually started the game strong by establishing a double-digit advantage, 26-12, at the end of the opening frame. The Bolts continued to sizzle from the field in the second quarter by keeping an 11-point lead, 51-40. The retooled Batang Pier showed flashes of great potential even with the departure of Robert Bolick with Jeff Chan turning the hands of time with a vintage performance of 20 points built on five triples. Incoming second-year forward JM Calma also stepped up with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds while Paul Zamar added 12 points.
*Bong Quinto joined hands with Allein Maliksi during Meralco's fourth quarter run (PBA Images)
*The Bolts zapped the revamping NorthPort Batang Pier in the final frame to come away with a 97-89 victory and open their PBA on Tour campaign on a bright note at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, May 24. Allein Maliksi and Bong Quinto took turns in leading Meralco in the back-breaking fourth quarter run, highlighted by a blazing 14-2 start that allowed the Bolts to pull away for good and give the tandem of Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic their first win. Maliksi caught fire from deep, drilling four triples on his way to game-high 21 points, including seven in the final frame while Quinto scattered nine of his 14 points in the final frame. Anjo Caram added 11 points while Cliff Hodge finished a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds. New acquisition Norbert Torres also looked good in his first game in Bolts uniform with 10 points. Meralco actually started the game strong by establishing a double-digit advantage, 26-12, at the end of the opening frame. The Bolts continued to sizzle from the field in the second quarter by keeping an 11-point lead, 51-40. The retooled Batang Pier showed flashes of great potential even with the departure of Robert Bolick with Jeff Chan turning the hands of time with a vintage performance of 20 points built on five triples. Incoming second-year forward JM Calma also stepped up with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds while Paul Zamar added 12 points.