Meralco took advantage of the early exit of Venky Jois and dealt NorthPort a 114-104 beating to virtually assure itself a spot in the quarterfinals of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Without Jois who went down with what appeared to be a right foot injury late in the opening frame, the Bolts, led by Allen Durham, Chris Newsome, and Chris Banchero, overpowered the Batang Pier to improve to a 6-2 record in Group A.

Durham led the way with 23 points and 13 rebounds although it was the backcourt duo of Newsome and Banchero who delivered the finishing touches when they combined for 15 of the Bolts’ 25 points in the final frame to keep the Batang Pier at bay.

Newsome had a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds while Banchero had 19 points built on three triples. 

Meralco also got solid contributions off the bench with CJ Cansino firing 12 – eight of which he scored from the four-point territory while Brandon Bates and Anjo Caram had 12 and 11 as the Bolts’ successfully bounced back from a 108-99 defeat to now Group A leader TNT.

Arvin Tolentino tried to carry the fight for NorthPort with 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists but the Batang Pier sorely missed the presence of Jois.

The NorthPort import went down with the foot injury with 3:17 left in the opening frame while going for a rebound. According to the broadcast report, Jois felt something pop on his foot and could no longer move or put pressure on it.

He was stretchered off the floor and was immediately brought to the hospital for further tests.

Joshua Munzon had 17 points while Damie Cuntapay and Will Navarro tried to fill in the void left by Jois with 12 and 11 but was not enough to power the Batang Pier to the win against the Bolts.

With the loss, NorthPort was dislodged in the Top of Group A, sliding to the fifth spot with a 3-5 record.