Washington returns to form, leads Petron over Meralco

Petron's Eddie Baseden drives against Champ Oguchi. PBA/Nuki Sabio

It didn’t take long for Jay Washington to rediscover his old form.

In just his second game back since missing three conferences because of injury, Washington was back to his old self, opening with 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting and powering Petron Blaze to a 101-88 triumph over the Meralco Bolts on Saturday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

“J-Wash is back. I think he’s already getting his rhythm back and I’m happy we’re winning,” said Petron Blaze coach Ato Agustin, whose team picked up its second straight win and climbed into a share of the lead with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.

“This is a single round robin and every game counts. We need to play hard and practice hard. Our defense was also good.”

Eddie Basden led the way for the Boosters with 24 points and proved to be a good complement for Petron’s souped-up unit.

“Our import is good and swerte kami sa kanya. Players already know their roles and nagkakaintindihan na sila,” said Agustin.

Petron will next face fierce nemesis Talk ‘N Text. The Boosters and the Tropang Texters have faced each other in best-of-seven series twice in the last three conferences.

Agustin expects a slam bang encounter against the short-handed Talk N Text squad, but the champion coach knows his team cannot take lightly the Tropang Texters, the most successful PBA team in the last two years.

“Despite a depleted lineup, they’re a strong team. We cannot underestimate them and we need to play and work as a team,” added Agustin.

The scores:

Petron (101) — Basden 24, Washington 19, Cabagnot 16, Santos 12, Miranda 11, Lutz 7, Yeo 7, Lanete 3, Ildefonso 2, Reyes 0, Pena 0.

Meralco (88) — Oguchi 24, Taulava 19, Mercado 17, Cardona 8, Ross 7, Hugnatan 7, Artadi 4, Reyes 2, Macapagal 0.

Quarters: 20-22, 42-42, 72-64, 101-88

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