The Meralco Bolts extended their mastery of the San Miguel Beermen with a 93-87 victory to collect their second win Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters roared to a second consecutive victory under new coach Chris Gavina with a 71-62 demolition of the Blackwater Bossing.
Both teams thus climbed to a tie at the top of the standings of the 2021 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup.
Meanwhile, the NLEX Road Warriors leaned on young studs Kevin Alas and Kiefer Ravena to defeat off-form defending champion Barangay Ginebra, 94-75.
The Road Warriors bounced back from an opening day one-point loss to Rain or Shine to improve to 1-1.
The team standings: Meralco (2 wins, 0 loss), Rain or Shine (2-0), Alaska Aces (1-0), Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (1-0), TNT Tropang Giga (1-0), San Miguel Beermen (0-1), Terrafirma Dyip (0-1), Phoenix Fuel Masters (0-1), Ginebra (0-1), North Port Batang Pier (0-1) and Blackwater Bossing (0-2).
The scores:
Meralco Bolts 93 – Chris Newsome 17, Aaron Black 14, Reynel Hugnatan 13, Nard Pinto 11, Bong Quinto 7, Allein Maliksi 7, Alvin Pasaol 7, Mac Belo 7, Cliff Hodge 4, Raymond Almazan 4, Trevis Jackson 0.
San Miguel Beermen 87 – Terrence Romeo 18, Moala Tautuaa 17, CJ Perez 17, Marcio Lassiter 11, Arwind Santos 8, Chris Ross 5, June Mar Fajardo 5, Alex Cabagnot 4, Alfonso Gotladera 2, Von Pessumal 0.
Quarter scores: 18-25; 42-41; 74-59; 93-87.
The scores:
NLEX Road Warriors 94 – Kevin Alas 20, Kiefer Ravena 19, Anthony Semerad 11, Don Trollano 11, JR Quinahan 10, Jericho Cruz 9, Raul Soyud 7, Michael Miranda 5, Calvin Oftana 2, Kris Porter 0, Will McAloney 0.
Barangay Ginebra 75 – Japeth Aguilar 15, LA Tenorio 11, Scottie Thompson 12, Stanley Pringle 8, Christian Standhardinger 8, Prince Caperal 8, Jeff Chan 2, MJ Ayaay 2, Joe Devance 3, Arvin Tolentino 2, Brian Enriquez 2, Jared Dillinger 0. Quarter scores: 26-15; 41-35; 72-55;94-75.