Akil Mitchell and Chris Banchero delivered game-changing performances as the Meralco Bolts cruised past the NorthPort Batang Pier, 111-94, in the 49th Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Mitchell spearheaded the Bolts’ attack, recording a double-double with 30 points and 13 rebounds, guiding Meralco to their sixth win in nine outings. Banchero added firepower, notching a conference-high 25 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting clip, propelling the team into a four-way tie for third place in the standings.
The 32-year-old Mitchell was instrumental in the second quarter, scoring 13 of his points to help the Bolts secure a 54-44 lead by halftime. Building on that momentum, Meralco took control in the third quarter, with Mitchell and Banchero contributing eight points each. The Bolts extended their lead to 13, 82-69, entering the final period and never relinquished their dominance.
Kadeem Jack led the Batang Pier with a valiant effort, scoring 29 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Despite his performance, NorthPort suffered their worst defeat of the tournament, dropping to a 7-2 record while still maintaining the top spot in the standings.
“I think today we played better defensively. This team can really score with top guys like [Joshua] Munzon, [Arvin] Tolentino, and [William] Navarro,” said Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo after the game.
The victory placed Meralco in a tie for third place alongside Hong Kong Eastern, Converge, and Ginebra, further intensifying the race for playoff positions.