“We didn’t want to fall today to the Terrafirma. We just want to come out and run as much as possible, play good defense, and get a win, and move on,” Meralco coach Norman Black said.

Aside from being a defense-centric team, Meralco was able to bag the win against Terrafirma thanks to Tony Bishop who led the team with 26 points on the record.

The first quarter was full of a nerve-racking play with almost 30 seconds left and tied with 26 points but Meralco import Cliff Hodge clutched the quarter with his two consecutive two-pointers one coming from the assist of Bishop, 30-26.

In the second quarter, Meralco gave no chance to Terrafirma to retaliate as the gap stretched from 10 points to 15 points with Anjo Caram getting the last two points in a broke-play buzzer-beater situation.

Meralco missed several points on the first try during the third quarter but Terrafirma was not able to snatch the ball due to Bishop and Black’s strong defense while Allein Maliksi supported the team with several three-point entries to end the third quarter with 89-73.

Four minutes and 30 seconds left in the last quarter but Meralco stayed in the 107 score while Terrafirma improved from 86 to 95 but this wasn’t enough to snatch the win from Meralco.

“Certainly, the loss to NorthPort was on our minds entering this game. We didn’t want to stumble again knowing that the elimination round is coming to an end and everybody is fighting for positions. We want to stay in the top four,” said Black.

The Scores

Meralco 107 – Bishop 26, Maliksi 18, Hodge 16, Quinto 11, Newsome 10, Black 8, Almazan 7, Banchero 6, Caram 5, Jose 0, Canete 0, Pasaol 0, Baclao 0

Terrafirma 95 – Hester 23, Munzon 17, Tiongson 13, Daquiaog 11, Camson 10, Cahilig 6, Gabayni 5, Pascual 3, Batiller 3, Calvo 2, Ramos 2, Ramos 2, Go 0, Balagasay 0, Celda 0 

Quarters: 30-26; 60-45; 89-73; 107-95