Meralco dethrones SMB as PBA PH Cup champ

MANILA – Meralco Bolts put an end to San Miguel Beermen’s long reign as PBA Philippine Cup champion after a 90-68 rout in their knockout quarterfinal match at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga.

The Bolts clobbered the Beermen early on, holding them to just 11 first quarter points and quickly opening a double-digit spread that would balloon to as high as 28 points.

Meralco pulled away for good after dropping 32 third quarter points.

Cliff Hodge and Baser Amer each made 14 points for the Bolts, who made the Philippine Cup semifinals for the first time ever and became only the 16th team to completely overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the playoffs.

They will next play Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, a rematch of last year’s Governors’ Cup Finals.

Mo Tautuaa and Marcio Lassiter each made 20 markers for the Beermen, who dearly missed June Mar Fajardo all bubble season long and Terrence Romeo the rest of the way as they saw their dominance as the “Kings of the all-Filipino” that lasted for five years come to an end.