By defeating Barangay Ginebra 106-93 on Wednesday night at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, Meralco ended Barangay Ginebra’s winning streak in the PBA On Tour.

Maliksi, a former UST Growling Tiger, scored 23 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead four other Bolts in double-digit scoring. It was a homecoming victory for him.

With 22 points, Bong Quinto was also excellent, and Raymond Almanzan contributed a double double of 13 points and 12 rebounds.

For Meralco’s uncontested victory, Cliff Hodge and Franky Johnson added 15 and 14, respectively.

Maliksi assumed control of the contest by scoring 13 points in the opening frame of the Bolts’ 37-21 victory.

Since then, they have not looked back, winning five of their last eight games. Meralco ended Ginebra’s three-game winning streak with the victory.

Aljun Mariano, a second UST Tiger who settled for eight points, was likewise constrained by the Bolts.

Von Pessumal patrolled the Kings with 25 points, whereas Jeremiah Grey had 15.

The Scores

Meralco 106 – Maliksi 23, Quinto 22, Hodge 15, Johnson 14, Rios 6, Almazan 13, Dario 5, Pascual 4, Jose 2, Pasaol 0.

Ginebra 93 – Pessumal 26, Gray 15, Onwubere 14, David 12, Aguilar 8, Mariano 8, Pinto 5, Aurin 3, Gumaru 2.

Quarter scores: 37-21; 57-46; 91-76; 106-93

On the other hand, NLEX defeated NorthPort 95–87 on Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion to win two straight games for the first time in the PBA On Tour.

Northport head coach Bonnie Tan and squad manager Pido Jarencio were denied a triumphant homecoming in the school with the Espana location when the Road Warriors overcame the Batang Pier in the fourth quarter.

Tan and Jarencio are also UST graduates.

NLEX was led by Sean Anthony, who had 25 points and 8 rebounds. He scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to help the Road Warriors finally gain an advantage over the valiant Batang Pier.

The Road Warriors’ record now reads 3-4.

With a strong third quarter, the Batang Pier overcame a 14-point deficit to seize the lead, 66-65, on a trio of free throws from Paul Zamar.

The 35-year-old Zamar led NorthPort with 22 points fueled by five three pointers, nine rebounds, and six assists.

For the Batang Pier, who suffered their second straight defeat and dropped to 3-4, JM Calma scored 17 points and seven rebounds.

The Scores

NLEX 95 – Anthony 25, Doliguez 14, Rosales 13, Trollano 12, Alas 11 Adamos 10, Pascual 6, Nieto 2, Guissani 2, Paniamogan 0.

NorthPort 87 – Zamar 22, Calma 17, Ayaay 13, Tolentino 9, Santos 7, Yu 6, Munzon 6, Salado 3, Gabriel 2, Balagasay 2, Bauzon 0.

Quarter scores: 23-24; 52-44; 67-66; 95-87.