BISHOP, BOLTS DRUB KINGS

MERALCO GAINS PIECE OF LEAD

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

3 p.m. – NLEX vs Magnolia 6 p.m. – San Miguel Beer vs TNT

Meralco unleashed import Tony Bishop and free agent acquisition Chris Banchero on old rivals Barangay Ginebra and came away with a lead-tying victory in their latest PBA Governors’ Cup rivalry match.

Bishop punched in 30 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists while Banchero debuted with 12 markers and three dimes as the Bolts beat the Gin Kings, 101-95, for their fourth consecutive win last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

Bishop and company detonated a crucial 12-2 bomb to seize a 99-91 cushion going to the last 1:59 and clear the way for their rise to share of No. 1 with idle Magnolia.

The Gin Kings fell to their second straight loss after a 3-0 start.

“I thought Tony Bishop had a lot to do with this victory, especially his consistency throughout the game. The fact that he shows up every game gives us a foundation that we can build on and try to win as much as possible,” said Meralco coach Norman Black of their reinforcement who’s taking over the usual role of Allen Durham.

“We had to gut it out. It wasn’t a pretty win. We didn’t shoot the ball that well and execute. But we had some defensive stops in the second half that allowed us to get a separation and get the win.”

Meanwhile, Matthew Wright fueled the endgame drive as Phoenix ground out a 93-92 thriller over TNT to gain a share of fourth place

Wright scattered 27 points, 10 assists, four rebounds and three steals, and capped his heroics with a big-time assist to Jason Perkins and a clutch interception that led to his own go-ahead lay-up with 1.3 seconds left.

The scores: First Game Phoenix 93 – Wright 27, Jazul 16, Sutton 13, Perkins 12, Manganti 10, Pascual 4, Chua 3, Garcia 2, Melecio 2, Robles 2, Rios 2, Demusis 0, Camacho 0.

TNT 92 – M. Williams 22, Banal 18, Fuller 11, Castro 11, Rosario 11, Montalbo 9, K. Williams 6, Alejandro 4, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Marcelo 0, Quarterscores: 21-15, 44-41, 72-70, 93-92 Second Game Meralco 101 – Bishop 30, Banchero 12, Newsome 12, Maliksi 11, Almazan 8, Hodge 8, Quinto 8, Black 6, Caram 4, Hugnatan 2.

Barangay Ginebra 95 – Brownlee 27, Thompson 18, Standhardinger 17, Aguilar 10, Tenorio 10, Tolentino 5, Caperal 3, Chan 3, Pinto 2.

Quarterscores: 29-22, 45-46, 79-76, 101-95

STANDINGS MAGNOLIA 4-0 MERALCO 4-0 NLEX 4-2 PHOENIX 4-2 BARANGAY GINEBRA 3-2 ALASKA 3-2 SAN MIGUEL BEER 3-2 RAIN OR SHINE 3-3 TNT 2-4 TERRAFIRMA 2-4 NORTHPORT 0-5 BLACKWATER 0-6