Bolts rap FiberXers for third win in row

MANILA, Philippines —  Not even the breezy weather could cool down red-hot Meralco.

On a rainy Wednesday ight, the blazing Bolts zapped the Converge FiberXers, 116-88, to gain solo Group A lead with a third straight win in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meralco weathered the Converge storm in erasing an early 15-point deficit, stabilized its towers in the second period to take control before letting it all loose in a third-quarter breakaway en route to a fourth win in five games overall.

The Bolts broke a tie with the reigning champions TNT Tropang Giga (3-1), gaining the lone view atop the group halfway through the elimination round of the import-spiced tourney.

And Meralco, the Philippine Cup ruler, did it with a crippled crew once more, leading by as many as 30 points, with core guys Cliff Hodge, Raymond Almazan and Allein Maliksi confined on the bench due to injuries.

“It’s about getting our guys ready. It’s the system and it’s about giving everybody else a chance. The advantage we have is we believe in our guys, and it works,” said coach Luigi Trillo.

“Kailangan, tulong-tulong lang kami. You’ve got to give credit to those who have been stepping up. We’re glad that they’re up to the task and they showed that in this game.”

Three-time Best Import awardee Allen Durham scattered 27 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block while four other Bolts finished in twin digits led by Chris Banchero with 24 on top of five rebounds and six assists.

Anjo Caram added 16, including 11 in the third quarter where the Bolts outscored the FiberXers by 10, as Alvin Pasaol and Jolo Mendoza threw in 12 and 10 points, respectively. All the other players fielded in by Trillo hit the score board.

“Thank God for the win. Like coach Luigi said, we started slow but we grinded it out on defense,” said Caram.