With the spotlight mostly on grand slam-seeking San Miguel Beer and defending champion Ginebra, the Bolts, the losing finalists in the last edition of the season-ending conference, proved they are ready to get over the hump as they banked on a strong start and never looked back against the Elite.
Baser Amer and Garvo Lanete led the balanced local effort, while Allen Durham anchored the attack with 18 points and 21 board for the Bolts, who outscored the Elite, 32-15, in the first period.
Meralco Bolts vs Blackwater Elite
EVENTS: 2017 PBA GOVERNORS CUP
Trevis Simpson led the Elite with 25 points and eight boards, but found little help from the locals.
The scores:
MERALCO 107 – Amer 20, Durham 18, Lanete 15, Dillinger 14, Newsome 13, Hodge 11, Hugnatan 4, Nabong 4, Caram 2, Yeo 2, Sedurifa 2, Faundo 2, Chua 0, Atkins 0
BLACKWATER 78 – Simpson 25, Gamalinda 10, Sena 7, Cruz 7, Digregorio 6, Sumang 5, Erram 4, Canaleta 3, Pascual 3, Aguilar 2, Miranda 2, Banal 2, Cervantes 2, Buenafe 0, Pinto 0
Quarterscores: 32-15, 63-34, 88-52, 107-78