JORDON Varnado stepped up offensively in the endgame as Meralco Bolts pulled off a 97-88 win over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With the Gin Kings threatening to within 78-81 with three minutes left, Varnado converted a four-pointer followed by a three-point play and another basket from Clifford Hodge to stretch the Bolts’ lead to 92-82.
The Gin Kings responded with a basket from Riley Grigsby but another three-pointer and a split free throw from Varnado increased the Bolts lead back to 12 points with under a minute left.
Varnado finished with 31 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks to be named Player of the Game as the Bolts snapped a four-game losing skid to improve to a 3-5 record.
Chris Newsome added 18 markers, Hodge came off the bench to deliver 13 points, and Kier John Quinto contributed 10 points.
Grigsby paced the Gin Kings with 34 points and 10 rebounds, Rhon Jay Abarrientos added 21 markers, and Japeth Aguilar contributed 13 points as they fell to a 2-4 mark. (Adrian Co)
