Bolts blow out San Miguel to improve playoff chances

Bolts blow out San Miguel to improve playoff chances

Bolts blow out San Miguel to improve playoff chances
PBA

Bolts blow out San Miguel to improve playoff chances

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Meralco Bolts kept its quarterfinals hopes alive as it mauled the San Miguel Beer, 111-81, in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum Saturday night.

As a result, the Bolts improved to 5-6 at the end of elimination round, assuring themselves of at least a playoff for eighth spot.

Reigning Best Import Allen Durham showed the way for Meralco with an all-around performance of 35 points, 26 rebounds, and seven assists alongside two blocks and two steals in over 40 minutes of play, as the Bolts extended their winning streak to four games heading into the playoffs.

Reynel Hugnatan topscored for the locals with 19 points to go with six boards and six dimes in 33 minutes, Chris Newsome tallied 14 points and 12 assists, while Baser Amer flirted with a triple-double, collecting 12 markers, 10 assists, and seven boards in 31 minutes as a starter.

The Bolts pounced on the Beermen in the third quarter with a 34-15 rampage to break away for good, as their lead balloned to 33 points late in the final frame.

The loss, on the other hand, ended San Miguel’s four-game winning streak. The Beermen will finish the eliminations with a 6-5 record for sixth place, setting up a quarterfinals clash with the Alaska Aces.

Kevin Murphy paced SMB with 32 points and 10 rebounds, as Christian Standhardinger was held to just six points but still tracked down 18 boards.

The scores:

MERALCO 111 – Durham 35, Hugnatan 19, Newsome 14, Amer 12, Hodge 9, Canaleta 8, Salva 6, Caram 6, Faundo 2, Tolomia 0, Bono 0, Jamito 0.

SAN MIGUEL 81 – Murphy 32, Cabagnot 16, Santos 11, Lassiter 8, Standhardinger 6, Pessumal 5, Nabong 2, Fajardo 1, Heruela 0, Ross 0, Vigil 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

Quarter scores: 26-25, 44-49, 78-66, 111-81.