MANILA – Kier John Quinto caught fire in the fourth period as Meralco Bolts scored a dominant 107-91 victory over Terrafirma Dyip in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
After the Dyip cut the Bolts’ 18-point lead to 84-92, Quinto stepped up with back-to-back three-pointers followed by an inside conversion from Allen Durham to increase the lead to 100-85.
Following a split free throw by Dyip’s Antonio Hester Jr., the Bolts pulled away for good with consecutive three-pointers from Chris Banchero and Quinto and another inside basket from Durham for a 108-86 spread.
Quinto finished the game with 22 points, including four three-pointers, to go with three rebounds to be named Player of the Game as the Bolts improved to a 2-1 win-loss record.
Durham led the way with 23 points, Banchero contributed 17 markers, while rookie CJ Cansino and Allein Maliksi had 16 and 12, respectively, for the Bolts, which played sans injured Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, and Raymond Almazan.
Stanley Pringle top-scored for the Dyip with 19 points, Hester added 18 markers, while rookie Paolo Hernandez contributed a career-high of 15 points as they remained win-less in three games.
On Tuesday night, Justin Brownlee erupted for a career-high of 51 points as Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings pulled off a come-from-behind 108-102 win over sister team San Miguel Beermen.
Brownlee, Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team’s naturalized player, dropped 35 of his total points in the second half as the Gin Kings notched their first victory in two games.
“The intention was just trying to win the game,” said Brownlee, who also contributed 13 rebounds, six steals, and five assists in the win. “Just happy (that I hit a new career high), but winning (against the Beermen) is what really matters.”
Japeth Aguilar added 21 markers, including two crucial baskets that gave the Gin Kings a 106-102 advantage late in the game, while Rhon Jhay Abarrientos contributed 13 points in the win./PN
BOX SCORE:
MERALCO 107 – Durham 23, Quinto 22, Banchero 17, Cansino 16, Maliksi 12, Mendoza 5, Hodge 4, Caram 4, Torres 2, Pascual 2, Bates 0, Pasaol 0, Rios 0.
TERRAFIRMA 91 – Pringle 19, Hester 18, Hernandez 15, Tiongson 9, Standhardinger 9, Sangalang 7, Carino 4, Ferrer 4, Cahilig 3, Hanapi 3, Olivario 0.
Quarterscores: 31-19, 56-43, 79-67, 107-91.
