PBA: Meralco overcomes Converge for third straight win

The Meralco Bolts overcame the Converge FiberXers, 116-88, for its third straight win in the PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Converge led early, 23-8, before the first half ended, 53-50, in favor of the Bolts.

Meralco pulled away in the third period as it scored 33 against Converge's 23 to conclude the said frame with an 86-73 lead. Anjo Caram led the Bolts' third period surge with 11 points.

Meralco, despite missing the services of Raymond Almazan, Allein Maliksi, and Cliff Hodge, continued to pound in the final frame as it scored 30 points and had its biggest lead, 114-84, before eventually clinching the victory.

Allen Durham registered 27 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block, while Chris Banchero had 24 points as the Bolts improved to 4-1 in Group A. Caram, meanwhile, had 16 points.

The win spoiled Converge import Scotty Hopson's 33-point outing on top of Alec Stockton and JL delos Santos chipping in 13 and 12 points apiece. The FiberXers slipped to 2-3.

Scores:

Meralco 116 – Durham 27, Banchero 24, Caram 16, Pasaol 12, Mendoza 10, Cansino 6, Newsom 5, Quinto 5, Jose 5, Rios 3, Bates 2, Pascual 1.

Converge 88 – Hopson 33, Stockton 13, Delos Santos 12, AMbohot 10, Santos 8, Winston 5, Maagdenberg 4, Andrade 3, Fleming 0, Racal 0, Nieto 0, Caralipio 0, Melecio 0, Fornilos 0, Cabagnot 0.

Quarters: 26-32, 53-50, 86-73, 116-88.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News