By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Meralco Bolts proved to be too much for the NorthPort Batang Pier and became the second team to beat them in the ongoing PBA Commissioner’s Cup, 111-94, on January 14, 2025, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
After ending the first 12 minutes of action with just a three-point lead, Meralco began its surge in the following quarter and pulled away with a double-digit advantage at the half.
From there, the Bolts never looked back and leaned on their import’s big night, Akil Mitchell, who torched the Batang Pier with a 30-point masterpiece alongside 13 rebounds and five steals.
Mitchell was a man on a mission for the Bolts as he outplayed every NorthPort defender threw at him, especially midway through the third where he did most of his damage.
The versatile import sank two three-pointers during that momentum-stealing stretch, including a jelly layup that protected Meralco’s double-digit lead until the end of the third period.
NorthPort tried to double-team Mitchell at the start of the fourth, but that move led to a disastrous start in the final frame as it paved the way for the locals to step up and drain much-needed buckets.
Answering the call for the veterans was Chris Banchero, who erupted for a conference-high 25 points built from an efficient 10/15 shooting from the field.
Banchero became the recipient of some of Mitchell’s drop passes when he was doubled in the left block, paying off the trust of his import with a series of easy deuces off hard cuts to the basket.
The veteran floor general also made a living with his face-up perimeter jump shots as the NorthPort dared him to pull the trigger rather than letting him attack the basket.
NorthPort import Kadeem Jack tried to keep his team within striking distance after going on a personal scoring avalanche but Chris Newsome denied his comeback attempt after cashing in timely jumpers in the crucial stretch of the game.
With the lead getting out of hand, NorthPort began to pull their starters out with four minutes still remaining in the ball game.
Meralco will look to pick up where they left off on January 18, 2025, where they will challenge the rolling San Miguel Beermen while NorthPort targets to bounce back today, against the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.
