CJ Cansino outplays Juan GDL as Meralco blasts Converge to seal PBA PH Cup QF spot

CJ Cansino got the win against Juan Gomez De Liaño in their first PBA battle. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—CJ Cansino got the better of Juan Gomez De Liaño in their much-awaited first PBA battle as Meralco put Converge's hopes for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals in peril through a 105-84 blowout on Sunday night at the Ynares Center 1 in Antipolo.

Despite Gomez De Liaño willing the FiberXers, the Bolts' crippling start, wherein they won the first quarter, 33-7, was just too much to overcome as they formally advance to the next round.

Cansino finished with 29 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 7-of-8 inside the three-point arc, five rebounds, and one assist for Meralco, which tied its victim at 6-4 along with NLEX.

The three teams are half a game behind TNT (6-3) for the fourth and last twice-to-beat edge in the playoffs.

Cliff Hodge added 18 points on 9-of-10 field goals, five rebounds, and two assists.

Gomez De Liaño finished with 27 points on 11-of-20 shots, five rebounds, five assists, and one steal for Converge, but he too had five turnovers.

The Scores:

MERALCO 105 – Cansino 29, Hodge 18, Black 16, Almazan 14, Newsome 10, Banchero 6, Quinto 6, Bates 4, Reyson 2, Pascual 0

CONVERGE 84 – Gomez de Liaño 27, Arana 19, Baltazar 14, Concepcion 8, Stockton 6, Garcia 4, Winston 4, Muyang 2, Caralipio 0, Eguilos 0, Racal 0

QUARTERS: 33-7, 55-32, 85-60, 105-84