Kings thump Bolts to boost playoff bid

MANILA, Philippines -- Barangay Ginebra pulled away in the second half and strengthened its bid for the playoffs with a 110-96 drubbing of the Meralco Bolts Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The game was close at the half, with Ginebra leading by just three, 53-50.

The Gin Kings then caught fire and unleashed a 14-4 run capped by a dunk by Tony Bishop to take a 67-54 lead at the 8:46 mark of the quarter.

Meralco, however, cut the lead to single digits, 82-75, with a Cliff Hodge layup.

With the Bolts trailing by seven, 79-86, with 10:35 remaining in the game, Mav Ahanmisi, Scottie Thompson and Jamie Malonzo teamed up to seize an 18-point lead for Ginebra, 100-82, with 5:35 remaining.

After free throws by Zach Lofton and Aaron Black helped Meralco inch closer, Thompson hit back-to-back layups, the first of which was off a nice feed by Christian Standhardinger, to slam the door shut on a Meralco comeback, 104-85, with 3:16 left.

Ahanmisi had a big game for Ginebra finishing with 25 points, three rebounds and three assists.

Thompson and Standhardinger chipped in 21 points apiece.

The two also flirted with triple-doubles, with the former having seven boards and seven assists, while the latter finishing with 12 rebounds and seven assists.

Lofton, who struggled earlier in the game, finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for Meralco.

Ginebra arrested its two-game losing skid and is now at 5-3.

Meralco’s four-game winning streak saw its end, as they dropped to 6-2.