MANILA – Meralco Bolts relied on their defensive game to defeat the league-leading NorthPort Batang Pier, 111-94, in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Chris Banchero finished with a conference-high of 25 points to go with six assists, four rebounds, and one steal to be named Player of the Game as the Bolts improved to a 6-3 win-loss slate.
“It is always nice to contribute,” Banchero said in a post-game presser. “This is an important game for us, I am very excited to play against NorthPort because they are best in this conference, and I am happy how we played against them.”
Akil Mitchell led the way for the Bolts with 30 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, and three assists, while Chris Newsome contributed 15 markers, including three three-point conversions.
Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo said after the game that he is delighted with how the defended and limited the Batang Pier to 40 percent field goal shooting and only allowed them to connect three outside baskets.
“I think we played good defense in this game, obviously NorthPort can score the ball, I though all the bench they all came in and contribute, this is one of the games where all our bigs also made quality contributions,” Trillo said.
“NorthPort has been playing good basketball, they deserve every win, they have been taking down a lot of quality teams, as what other coaches said they are the real deal,” he added.
Kadeem Jack tallied a double-double of 29 points and 14 rebounds, Arvin Tolentino added 19 markers, while Joshua Munzon and William Navarro ended with 12 and 11, respectively, as the Batang Pier dropped to 7-2 win-loss slate./PN
BOX SCORE:
MERALCO 111 – Mitchell 30, Banchero 25, Newsome 15, Quinto 8, Rios 8, Cansino 7, Mendoza 6, Caram 5, Almazan 4, Reyson 2, Pascual 1, Bates 0, Hodge 0, Torres 0.
NORTHPORT 94 – Jack 29, Tolentino 19, Munzon 12, Navarro 11, Nelle 8, Onwubere 7, Miranda 5, Yu 3, Flores 0, Bulanadi 0, Taha 0, Cuntapay 0, Tratter 0.
Quarterscores: 24-21, 54-44, 82-69, 111-94.
