Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

PBA: Varnado solid in debut as Meralco stops 4-game skid by fending off Ginebra

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786716407507PBA Image7 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Meralco import Jordon Varnado. PBA Images</div>MANILA — Meralco finally made its way back to the win column, beating Ginebra, 97-88, in the PBA Season 50 Governors&#x27; Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.It was only the Bolts&#x27; third win in eight matches, but a much-needed one as the league enters the break for Gilas Pilipinas&#x27; campaigns in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers and the Asian Games.Jordon Varnado kept his squad afloat down the stretch as he impressed in his first PBA game.Just as Ginebra was knocking on Meralco&#x27;s doors, closing within three, 81-78, Varnado sank a clutch four-pointer that put the Bolts ahead by seven, 2:38 on the fourth quarter clock.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2026/8/14/pba-converge-escapes-import-less-nlex-in-thriller-before-break-1949">READ: PBA: Converge escapes import-less NLEX in thriller before break </a></div>After RJ Abarrientos completed his trip to the foul line for an 87-82 count, Varnado repeated his heroics, converting a falling away jumper while forcing a foul on his counterpart, Riley Grigsby, to expand Meralco&#x27;s lead to 90-82 with 1:41 remaining.The Meralco import kept his ways, dealing the dagger from the top of the key to boost Meralco to an 11-point lead, 95-84, as the Bolts walked away with the victory.Varnado finished with 31 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks, while Chris Newsome led the locals with a 19-point, eight-rebound, and five-assist showing.Cliff Hodge made his presence felt with 13 points and seven rebounds, as Bong Quinto added 10 markers and five assists.On the other hand, this campaign proves to be tough for the Gin Kings as they absorbed their fourth loss in six outings.Grigsby paced the losing side with a double-double of 34 points and 10 rebounds, as Abarrientos, who unfortunately committed crucial turnovers late, still had 21 points and four assists to his name.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>MERALCO 97 – Varnado 31, Newsome 18, Hodge 13, Quinto 10, Brickman 8, Bates 6, Black 4, Cansino 4, Maliksi 3, Mocon 0, Banchero 0GINEBRA 88 – Grigsby 34, Abarrientos 21, J.Aguilar 12, Rosario 6, Holt 5, Thompson 4, Torres 3, Gray 3, Cu 0, Abis 0, Pinto 0QUARTERS: 21-20, 49-41, 69-61, 97-88

Meralco finally made its way back to the win column, beating Ginebra, 97-88, in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Meralco finally made its way back to the win column, beating Ginebra, 97-88, in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.