Stars in each role: Meralco banks on Quinto, others as top scorers struggle

 

 

Rising to the occasion with both Allein Maliksi and Chris Newsome limited on offense, Bong Quinto takes over late as Meralco scrapes past Terrafirma for back-to-back wins

 

MANILA, Philippines – With top Meralco scorers Allein Maliksi and Chris Newsome struggling, the rest of the Bolts played their roles to the hilt.

Bong Quinto took over down the stretch as Meralco posted back-to-back wins in the PBA Philippine Cup after scraping past stubborn Terrafirma, 86-83, at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, April 3.

Rising to the occasion with both Maliksi and Newsome limited to single-digit scoring, Quinto finished the game on a personal 7-2 run and totaled 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists as the Bolts improved to an even 3-3 record.

“We each have our own roles. Whatever our role is in the team, we have to be a star player in it,” said Quinto, who scored in double figures for just the second time this conference – both coming in wins.

The Dyip were poised to continue their promising start and clinch their fourth win in six games when they went up 81-79 with two minutes left before Quinto

 

sank a triple, a free throw, and a layup in succession for an 85-81 lead.

Stephen Holt pulled Terrafirma within 85-83 off a pair of foul shots, but Quinto sealed the victory with another free throw.

Like Quinto, Norbert Torres stepped up with 15 points, while Raymond Almazan – fresh from winning the Big Men Three-Point Shootout during the PBA All-Star Weekend in Bacolod City – chimed in 14 points with 3 rebounds.