Using the early departure of NorthPort import Venky Jois as leverage, Meralco returned to winning ways on Saturday, defeating the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium 114-104.

With a 6-2 win-loss record, the Bolts improved upon their 108-99 setback to TNT to solidify their hold on second place in Group A. Meralco and idle TNT were both guaranteed spots in the quarterfinals by virtue of their victories.

Following Jois’s departure from the game at 3:15 of the first quarter due to an ankle injury, the Batang Pier dropped to 3-5 for their second straight defeat. He was quickly transferred to the hospital after being removed from the floor on a stretcher. 

The Bolts, who also welcomed Raymond Almazan and Cliff Hodge after recovering from injuries, with 20 points and 11 rebounds from Chris Newsome and 23 points and 13 rebounds from Allen Durham. Cliff Hodge scored five points and Raymond Almazan scored six.

“We wish Venky Jois (a speedy recovery). He went down. We hope he gets better. We don’t know if it’s his Achilles,” stated Luigi Trillo, Coach of Meralco.

“For us, it’s nice to get some guys back in the mix. Obviously, you have the usual suspects like Chris and a couple of the other guys. We are starting to get guys back.”

After going 4-of-16 in the TNT game, Chris Banchero scored 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the field.

Joshua Munzon scored 17 points and had two steals for the struggling Batang Pier, whose loss would mean a setback for their hopes of making the playoffs. Arvin Tolentino finished with 28 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.

The Scores

Meralco 114 – Durham 23, Newsome 20, Banchero 19, Cansino 12, Bates 12, Caram 10, Quinto 7, Almazan 6, Hodge 5, Pascual 0, Mendoza 0, Torres 0, Jose 0.

Northport 104 – Tolentino 28, Munzon 17, Cuntapay 12, Navarro 11, Yu 9, Flores 9, Amores 7, Jois 4, Bulanadi 4, Jalalon 3, Tratter 0, Onwubere 0, Nelle 0, Taha 0.

Quarter scores: 41-37; 67-59; 89-80; 114-104.