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Akil Mitchell outplayed Kadeem Jack as Meralco stopped NorthPort's direct QF entry momentarily. PBA Images |
MANILA—Meralco kept NorthPort from being the first team to formally enter the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals with a 111-94 rout on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Bolts steadily pulled away from the Batang Pier as the game went on even as the race for a Top 2 spot, which would give the teams that will end up there a one-win bonus in the next round, became more exciting.
Akil Mitchell put up 30 points on 12-for-20 shooting, 13 rebounds, three assists, and five steals for Meralco, which joined a tie for third place with Hong Kong Eastern, Converge, and Ginebra at 6-3, just percentage points behind Rain Or Shine for second.
The FiberXers and Elasto Painters will meet later Tuesday.
Chris Banchero added 25 points on 10-of-15 field goals, four rebounds, six assists, and one steal.
Kadeem Jack put up 29 points, 14 rebounds, one assist, one block, and two steals for NorthPort, which fell to 7-2.
The Scores:
MERALCO 111 – Mitchell 30, Banchero 25, Newsome 15, Quinto 8, Rios 8, Cansino 7, Mendoza 6, Caram 5, Almazan 4, Reyson 2, Pascual 1, Bates 0, Hodge 0, Torres 0
NORTHPORT 94 – Jack 29, Tolentino 19, Munzon 12, Navarro 11, Nelle 8, Onwubere 7, Miranda 5, Yu 3, Flores 0, Bulanadi 0, Taha 0, Cuntapay 0, Tratter 0
QUARTERS: 24-21, 54-44, 82-69, 111-94
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