Meralco quickly gave Terrafirma a dose of reality, ripping it to shreds with a 118-80 victory to go 2-0 in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Sunday, April 6.

The Bolts picked up from where they left off as, after a successful opener against the Converge FiberXers, went off to a hot start and then completely tore the game apart in the third against the hapless Dyip.

Meralco led by as many as 42 points after limiting Terrafirma to just 13 points while exploding for 30 in the pivotal third frame.

The Bolts hardly needed help from their biggest stars as guys like Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan all played not more than 17 minutes, ensuring their freshness ahead of Meralco’s Philippine Cup finals rematch against San Miguel on the league’s 50th anniversary on Wednesday, April 9, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Getting thrusted to a bigger role, Meralco’s bench mob delivered with rookies CJ Cansino and Kurt Reyson leading the way with 19 and 16 points.

Bong Quinto had 13 while Alvin Pasaol, Jolo Mendoza and Brandon Bates all chipped in 11 apiece.

A strong 30-16 start to the contest actually set the tone for the rout as Meralco kept its foot on the gas pedal and erected a huge 30-point advantage, 86-56, at the end of the third frame. 

The lead eventually grew to its largest at 42 as Terrafirma, seemingly returning to its old ways, completely folded in the second half.

Louie Sangalang was the lone bright spot to the team with 23 points as the Dyip failed to follow up their 95-89 win in the opener against Phoenix.

Stanley Pringle and Aljun Melecio had 11 and Mark Nonoy with 10 for Terrafirma which slid to a 1-1 record.