Meralco secures PBA quarterfinal berth, improves to 6-2

Meralco secured a 114-104 victory over NorthPort in the PBA Governors' Cup on Saturday, September 14, securing their quarterfinal berth.

Chris Banchero highlighted that despite clinching their playoff spot, Meralco needs to improve defensively but emphasized the team's strength with key players like Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan back from injury.

Allen Durham led with 23 points and 13 rebounds; Hodge and Almazan returned to support the efforts, contributing 11 combined points.

NorthPort's Arvin Tolentino scored a team-high 28 points but struggled without injured import Venky Jois.

Meralco improved to 6-2 in league standings, joining TNT as early playoff entrants; NorthPort dropped to 3-5 and faces tough matches ahead against Magnolia and TNT.