Meralco import impresses in debut as Bolts top Kings

Sports

JORDON Varnado made an instant impact, turning in a solid debut to lead the Meralco Bolts to a much-needed 97-88 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday night, Aug. 14.

Varnado was Meralco’s original pick for import but could not suit up right away after suffering a calf injury.

His availability came at the most opportune time.

Meralco came into the match losing its last four games and Varnado helped end the alarming skid by piling up 31 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks.

Meralco, thus, improved to 3-5 (win-loss) while pulling Ginebra down to 2-4 in Group B.

Meralco managed to build double-digit leads but Ginebra threatened within 78-81 late in the fourth.

Varnado then took over, sinking a four-pointer, converting a three-point play, and knocking down a triple that put the game beyond Ginebra’s reach.

Riley Grigsby had a solid 34 point, 10-rebound, three-assist performance but Ginebra faltered in the tournament’s final game before taking a nine-week break to give way to Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and in the Asian Games.

THE SCORES:

MERALCO (97) – Varnado 31, Newsome 18, Hodge 13, Quinto 10, Brickman 8, Bates 6, Black 4, Cansino 4, Maliksi 3, Mocon 0, Banchero 0.

GINEBRA (88) – Grigsby 34, Abarrientos 21, J.Aguilar 12, Rosario 6, Holt 5, Thompson 4, Torres 3, Gray 3, Cu 0, Abis 0, Pinto 0.QUARTERSCORES: 21-20, 49-41, 69-61, 97-88.(CCM)