Anjo Caram played the game of his career to power the Meralco Bolts past the NorthPort Batang Pier, 103-89, in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup yesterday November 10 at the Ynares Center Antipolo.
Caram finished with 30 points (converting 11 of 15 attempts from the field), four steals and two rebounds to win Player of the Game honors.
Meralco import Allen Durham was his usual productive self with 26 points, 19 rebounds, three assists and one block.
With the victory the Bolts (8 wins, 2 losses) assured themselves of a top four finish in the elimination round (and the accompanying twice-to-beat advantage) because only three other teams – the NLEX Road Warriors (7-2), the TNT Katropa (7-2) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (6-3) can still earn 8 wins.
North Port (3-6) on the other hand dropped into a tie at eighth and ninth place with the Alaska Aces (3-6) and are in danger of dropping out of the playoff picture.
The other teams include the the San Miguel Beermen (6-4) and the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (5-4). Bringing up the rear are Columbian Dyip (4-6), the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters (3-7), Phoenix Fuel Masters (2-7) and the Blackwater Elite (2-8).
The top eight teams advance to the quarterfinals while the bottom four are eliminated.
The Bolts built a big lead early in the third quarter. They gradually lost ground but still managed to hold on to a 72-69 advantage after the third.
The Bolts again built a big lead, 84-72, early in the fourth after Caram drilled a three-pointer off the backboard. The Batang Pier – thanks to import Mike Qualls and hard-working Sean Anthony – reduced the Meralco advantage to just five points, 90-85, with almost four minutes to go.
Chris Newsome hit a jumper followed by a triple by Durham and the Bolts extended their lead to 10 markers, 95-85, with just two minutes left to play.
Box score:
MERALCO BOLTS 103 – Anjo Caram 30, Allen Durham 26, Chris Newsome 17, Raymund Almazan 8, John Pinto 8, Allein Maliksi 6, Bryan Faundo 4, Reynel Hugnatan 2, Baser Amer 2, Bong Quinto 0, Trevis Jackson 0, Raymar Jose 0, Cliff Hodge 0, Jimmer Jamito 0.
NORTHPORT BATANG PIER 89 – Mike Qualls 27, Christian Standhardinger 20, Sean Anthony 19, Sol Mercado 9, Garvo Lanete 8, Paolo Taha 3, Kevin Ferrer 3, Nico Elorde 0, Jervy Cruz 0, Jerramy King 0, Russel Escoto 0.
Quarter scores: 20-23, 50-45, 72-69, 103-89.
