The Meralco Bolts took charge of the game against Converege FiberXers with their 105-99 triumph in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup 2023, at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
Meralco’s Kier Quinto started the team’s double-digit lead at 34-23 in the second quarter.
Zachary Lofton led the Meralco scoring, after bombing 30 points for the team.
Chris Banchero and Alain Maliksi also boosted the Bolts’ lead, after Banchero registered 21 points, and Maliksi with 20.
Meralco closed the first half of the game with 55-37.
Jamil Wilson, one of Converge’s top scorers was hindered from earning as many baskets because of Meralco’s tight defense.
Justin Arena led the FiberXers firing 25 points, together with Alec Stockton with 21.
Converge’s Kevin Racal, with 4 points, left the court after having an injury in the 3rd quarter.
Converge recorded higher points against Meralco in the 2nd half, with 62 total points in the final half alone, while Meralco earned 50. However, it was not enough to surpass the huge gap that the Bolts poured from the first half of the game.
The FiberXers trimmed down the Bolts’s lead with just a 6-point deficit in the final minutes of the match.
Maliksi was held as the Player of the Game.
Meralco is currently at the 3rd spot in the standings with 5 wins and 1 loss and still has the chance to penetrate to the PBA Quarterfinals. While Converge is currently at the 11th spot with one win.
The Magnolia Hotshots is in the top spot, followed by the Phoenix Fuel Masters.
Photo courtesy from Meralco Bolts’ official page
