DEFENDING champion Meralco got the better of Barangay Ginebra in its bid for a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup.

The Bolts used an 11-2 run going home to eke out an emotional 82-73 win over the Kings and became the latest team to make the quarterfinals after Magnolia, San Miguel, NLEX, and Converge.

Meralco improved to 6-5 as it capped its elimination round campaign.

The loss derailed Ginebra’s march to the playoffs with a 5-3 record.

Streaking TNT notched a fifth straight win to even things up with Ginebra following a lopsided 94-70 win over Northport.

The Batang Pier formally bowed out of playoff contention with their seventh straight win and a 1-7 record.

Below are four takeaways in the league’s return at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

Was it been that long since the Ginebra coach was ejected in a PBA game? As per the archive unearthed by league resident statistician Fidel Mangonon III, Tim Cone’s last game ejection prior to his latest against Meralco came in 2018 during Game 2 of the Governors’ Cup semifinals series between the Kings and the Magnolia Hotshots.

Along the way, there were technical calls made here and there, but being thrown out of the game has not been a norm of late for the ever outspoken coach.

Could this be a sign of mellowing down on the part of the Gilas Pilipinas head coach?

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

Just when the Tropang 5G began losing their personnel to injuries, solid replacement players are suddenly popping up one after another in their lineup.

The team just reactivated Ping Exciminiano from the injury/reserved list, recalled and signed up former back up guard Almond Vosotros, and finally unveiled big man Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser after more than a year of rest recovering and rehabilitating from an ACL injury.

Even more, TNT managed to get something out of a non-performing asset by trading two-time Finals MVP Mikey Williams for Jordan Heading of Converge. Heading is still recovering from a back spasm he sustained in the Commissioner’s Cup playoffs, but could be healthy enough in the coming weeks to help the franchise achieve its bid of winning an elusive grand slam.

After letting go of JM Calma, William Navarro, and top scorer Arvin Tolentino this conference, the $64 million question is who’s next in line to be given up by the Batang Pier.

Frankly, the team still has several talent in its disposal other teams may lay their eyes on, including wingman Joshua Munzon. Cade Flores, Evan Nelle, James Kwekuteye, Allyn Bulanadi and even Jio Jalalon are all serviceable and thus, tradeable should there be another one in the offing for the franchise.

Even newly-acquired Calvin Abueva is rumored about going to another team and will only have Northport as stop gap measure.

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

It's mission accomplished for the Bolts before they depart for the Basketball Champions League Asia in Dubai next week.

After going down below .500 mark with fourth straight losses, Meralco steered the ship right and won its last three outings in the eliminations against Blackwater, and top contenders NLEX and Barangay Ginebra to reach the quarterfinals with a 6-5 record.

Now the Bolts can concentrate on their June 7-13 campaign as the country and PBA’s representative to the tournament formerly known as FIBA Asia Champions Cup.

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