Brgy. Ginebra extends Meralco woes

MANILA, Philippines -- The Brgy. Ginebra Kings proved on Tuesday night that they are not just a two-man team as they routed the Meralco Bolts, 89-64, in an out-of-town game of the 2015 Smart Bro PBA Philippine Cup at Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan, Laguna.

With the Bolts clamping down on Greg Slaughter in the first half, Nico Salva came off the bench to fire up the Kings, who squandered a hot 7-0 start.

The Bolts came back behind the hot hands of Gary David to grab an 11-9 lead. But it proved to be their last taste of the lead with Salva catching fire early with back-to-back triples.

Salva led an inspired effort from the rest of the Kings, who provided solid support for their twin towers.

Slaughter, who was held to just five in the first half, still came away with a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds. Japeth Aguilar also finished with 18 including an electrifying alley-oop early in the opening period that fired a good Tuesday crowd. But it was Salva, who made the most impact.

The former Ateneo wingman had his best game in Ginebra uniform scoring 11 and grabbing six boards.

Joe Devance chipped in eight points while three more Kings hit seven in a balanced attack.

“We came out and we shot the ball well. The most important thing was we played the tempo that we wanted. We played a tempo that can keep our big men fresh. That’s really the key,” Ginebra coach Tim Cone said.

David, who started the game like a house on fire with 10, cooled off in the second quarter that the Kings pounced on to take a 42-25 halftime lead. It swelled to an insurmountable 31-point advantage, 72-41, with their bench players finishing the game.

David, who had 40 points, in their tough loss to Barako Bull, led the Bolts with 18 in another losing effort as they spiraled down to their fifth straight setback.

Chris Newsome and Rabeh Al-Hussaini were the only other Bolts who scored in double figures with 13 each.

Meralco only shot 31 percent to finish with the fewest score this conference.