Meralco wins PBA Governors’ Cup opener

The Bolts held the Elasto Painters to only 33 points in the final 24 minutes of action to pull away for good. (Pexels photo)

MANILA — Meralco dominated the second half to defeat Rain Or Shine, 105-87, at the start of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Bolts held the Elasto Painters to only 33 points in the final 24 minutes of action to pull away for good.

KJ McDaniels led Meralco with 27 points, 23 rebounds, three assists and one block, while Chris Banchero added 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and one steal.

Chris Newsome finished with 10 points, five rebounds, six assists and one steal in his first game after four months in injury bay, but he got the last laugh over James Yap in the battle of comeback players.

Rey Nambatac paced ROS with 21 points, two rebounds and one assist.

Michael Qualls, who exploded for 53 points in their pre-conference clash last week, was held to just 14 markers, although he too had 15 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block.

Yap also tallied 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting in 14 minutes of play in his first game back since last year’s elections.