Meralco delays NorthPort's outright PBA Comm's Cup QF entry with rout

Akil Mitchell outplayed Kadeem Jack as Meralco stopped NorthPort's direct QF entry momentarily. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

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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