Allein Maliksi, K.J. McDaniels and Anjo Caram were unstoppable as Meralco got a little bit of everything from just about everyone to get back on winning track.
It was a total team effort for the Bolts who downed the Blackwater Bossing, 125-99, Saturday night in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Maliksi knocked in 30 points, including 6-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc, as the Bolts recovered their bearings in the fourth quarter.
“It was a long week preparing after coming off a loss to Terrafirma. Terrafirma played a good game, which means anybody can beat anybody on any given night,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
According to Black, the Bolts prepared against both imports, Shawn Glover and Troy Williams, even though they didn’t know who between them will be fielded in by Blackwater.
“We prepared for both,” added Black, “By the time they made a decision, we’ve already finished our practice.”
The Bossing stuck with Glover, who was nursing a bruised heel, but let replacement import, National Basketball Association veteran Troy Williams, watch Saturday’s game.
McDaniels was the Bolts’ source of power inside as the returning reinforcement ended with solid production of 24 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists and +30 in efficiency.
Caram returned after being sidelined due to a chipped bone on his foot, producing 18 points coming off the bench.
“Anjo is really a big part of our second team. For him to come out today really gave us a big lift and he made the job of the first group so easy,” added Black, whose son, Aaron, also stepped up big, coming away with 19 points, seven assists and +34 in player efficiency.
Meralco improved its win-loss record to 3-1.
The Scores:
MERALCO 125 – Maliksi 30, McDaniels 24, Black 19, Caram 18, Newsome 9, Pascual 6, Banchero 5, Almazan 4, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Pasaol 0, Hugnatan 0
BLACKWATER 99 – Glover 20, Ilagan 15, Amer 14, Casio 13, Rosario 11, Ular 8, Sena 6, Ayonayon 4, DiGregorio 4, Torralba 2, Taha 2, Banal 0, McCarthy 0, Hill 0
QUARTERS: 31-22, 67-50, 91-78, 125-99