Meralco Finishes Strong, Beats Rain Or Shine In PBA On Tour

The Meralco Bolts ended its PBA On Tour campaign on a high note, securing a thrilling 103-95 victory over Rain or Shine at the Ynares Sports Arena Friday, July 28. Raymar Jose and Allein Maliksi powered the Bolts in a blistering 14-3 run down the stretch, frustrating the Jones Cup-bound Elasto Painters.

Coach Luigi Trillo expressed pride in the performance of his players, especially highlighting the impressive contributions of Raymar Jose and Kyle Pascual as revelations for the team. 

With Cliff Hodge unavailable, Raymar Jose stepped up brilliantly, finishing with a double-double of 22 points and 18 rebounds. His crucial offensive rebound and conversion in the closing minutes were instrumental in breaking a 92-all tie and giving Meralco the advantage.

Allein Maliksi, the veteran gunner, took over from Jose and sealed the victory for Meralco with his clutch plays, scoring the remaining points, including two crucial free throws and possession following an advantage foul by Mac Belo. Maliksi tallied 18 points, mirroring the scoring output of big man Raymond Almazan, who also recorded an impressive 15 rebounds.

The Bolts displayed resilience and determination in their final game of the preseason meet presented by Arena Plus and sponsored by Bingo Plus, finishing with a commendable 7-4 record.

On the other hand, it was a disappointing result for Rain or Shine, who led 92-89 after Mac Belo’s two free throws before Meralco’s game-changing run. Belo stood out with 22 points against his former team, but it was not enough to secure the victory.

Rain or Shine, with an 8-3 record, now shifts its focus to the upcoming Jones Cup, where they aim to represent the country with pride and compete against top international teams.

Meralco’s victory highlighted the team’s depth and ability to step up in crucial moments. Coach Trillo commended the players for their collective effort, proving that the Bolts are a formidable force to reckon with in the upcoming PBA season.

As the PBA On Tour comes to a close, fans can reflect on the exciting and intense games that have unfolded, with teams showcasing their skills and gearing up for the highly anticipated PBA season. 

The performances of players like Raymar Jose and Allein Maliksi add to the anticipation of what lies ahead in the league, promising thrilling basketball action for fans to enjoy.

The boxscores:

Meralco 103 – Jose 22, Almazan 18, Maliksi 18, Black 15, Pasaol 12, Dario 9, Quinto 5, Rios 2, Pascual 2, Torres 0.

Rain or Shine 95 – Belo 22, Santillan 13, Mamuyac 11, Caracut 11, Demusis 10, Belga 9, Clarito 6, Asistio 5, Nambatac 4, Ildefonso 2, Ponferada 2, Borboran 0.

Quarterscores: 26-22; 55-50; 73-71; 103-95.