By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Ilonggo floor general Anjo Caram acted as the catalyst for the Meralco Bolts during their lopsided win over the Converge FiberXers, 116-88, in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup on September 4, 2024, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The pride of Iloilo stepped up big time in the momentum-clinching third quarter where he dropped 11 points that capped off Meralco’s highest-scoring period of the game with 33 markers.
Caram was on fire from the get-go after checking in the ball game and ended up with a superb scoring performance of 16 points built from a perfect 4/4 shooting from the three-point territory.
The PBA veteran provided the extra punch that the Bolts needed after missing four key players ahead of their matchup against the FiberXers.
In the game, Meralco played without Aaron Black, Allein Maliksi, Cliff Hodge, and Raymond Almazan who were all listed out due to their respective injuries.
It was as if Meralco was still in full force, thanks to Caram’s solid scoring contribution as well as his leadership on the defensive end for the Bolts.
Known as a two-way player in the big boys’ league, Caram’s hounding pressure on Converge’s young backcourt players also made a difference especially during their insane rampage in the final two quarters.
Meralco survived a sloppy start as they gave away too many open looks for Converge, resulting in a six-point deficit at the end of the opening period, 32-26.
However, in the final three quarters, Meralco suddenly flipped the switch and dominated in all facets of the game, winning all three frames en route to another convincing win in the import-laced conference.
Alvin Pasaol also had a great game for the injury-plagued Meralco squad after contributing 12 markers derived from a 5/5 shooting from the field.
Allen Durham, Meralco’s dominant reinforcement, led the Bolts in scoring and had another all-around game of 27 markers, 14 rebounds, and six dimes.
With the win, Meralco just extended its PBA Governor’s Cup winning streak to three straight victories and will gun for their fourth on September 7, 2024, against the Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados.
