Meralco guns for PBA playoffs berth

DENIED of an outright playoff entry on Thursday, Meralco tries to do it again when it faces first round victim NorthPort in the PBA Governors' Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The Bolts (5-2), who are playing with a depleted roster, are still smarting from a 108-99 loss to the TNT Tropang Giga on Thursday.

The wards of coach Luigi Trillo will now aim for a bounce-back victory against NorthPort (3-4) as both teams clash at 5 p.m.

ONE VERSUS TWO Chris Banchero of Meralco scores between two TNT defenders during their PBA Governors’ Cup game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sept. 12, 2024. PBA PHOTO

In the 7:30 p.m. nightcap, Converge (3-4) takes on winless Terrafirma (0-7).

Meralco dumped NorthPort, 109-99, in their initial meeting last August despite playing without veterans Allein Maliksi, Raymund Almazan and Aaron Black.

The Bolts will try to rely on their solid bench that includes Bong Quinto, Anjo Caram and rookie CJ Cansino, who have been stepping up well to bring the needed support for starters Allen Durham, Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero.

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The Batang Pier, though, are expected to bring their A-game as they also chase for a playoff spot.

Heading into this game, NorthPort is tied with Converge at fourth spot in the Group A standings at 3-4.

In the main game, the FiberXers seek to keep their playoff hopes alive as they gun for their second straight win against the Dyip.

Converge debuted this season with a lopsided 127-95 lynching of Terrafirma during their first meeting last month.

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Terrafirma has yet to win this season although the Dyip are coming off a narrow 99-98 loss against the Magnolia Hotshots on Thursday.