Meralco rips Terrafirma by 38 for 2-0 start in title defense

MANILA, Philippines, April 7 ------ Defending champion Meralco got off to a 2-0 start in the PBA Philippine Cup after a historic 118-80 mauling of Terrafirma at Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Six players scored in double figures for the Bolts, which posted their biggest winning margin in franchise history as they dominated the Dyip from start to finish. Rookie guards CJ Cansino and Kurt Reyson showed the way with 19 and 16 points, respectively, as Meralco mounted a 30-16 lead at the end of the opening quarter and cruised the rest of the way. 

The Bolts’ lead peaked at 42 points, with Jolo Mendoza hitting a layup with over six minutes remaining for a 107-65 cushion. Bong Quinto chimed in 13 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds for Meralco, which will next battle San Miguel in a rematch of the All-Filipino finals as the league celebrates its 50th anniversary on April 9 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The Bolts and the Beermen will wear retro jerseys for the special affair. 

Mendoza, Alvin Pasaol, and Brandon Bates finished with 11 points each in the lopsided win that brought the Dyip crashing back to earth. After picking up a rare win to start the tourney, Terrafirma — which won just three games so far this season — returned to its ways and tied its sixth-worst loss in franchise history, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon. Louie Sangalang tallied 23 points and 7 rebounds in the defeat, while Stanley Pringle and Aljun Melecio added 11 points apiece. 

The Scores 

Meralco 118 – Cansino 19, Reyson 16, Quinto 13, Pasaol 11, Bates 11, Mendoza 11, Caram 9, Hodge 7, Torres 5, Almazan 4, Jose 4, Rios 3, Black 2, Newsome 2, Pascual 1. 

Terrafirma 80 – Sangalang 23, Melecio 11, Pringle 11, Nonoy 10, Romeo 9, Catapusan 7, Ramos 6, Zaldivar 3, Hernandez 0, Hanapi 0, Paraiso. 

Quarters: 30-16, 56-43, 86-56, 118-80. 

Source: rappler.com