Jordon Varnado picked up where he left off after the two-month PBA break, scoring 31 points without a turnover to lift Meralco past Blackwater, 120-115, on Tuesday night. The win at Ninoy Aquino Stadium kept the Bolts’ playoff hopes alive.

It was Meralco’s second straight victory, and it was far from comfortable. The Bolts led by as many as 20 points before Blackwater stormed back behind Sedrick Barefield, setting up a tense finish.

Jordon Varnado’s Spotless 31-Point Return Lifts Meralco Over Blackwater

Varnado matched his PBA debut output of 31 points and added 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. He did it all without a turnover, a performance that anchored Meralco in the clutch.

Chris Newsome delivered alongside him with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal and a block. Bong Quinto scored 15, Cliff Hodge added 12 points and 8 rebounds off the bench, and Jason Brickman had 10 points and 6 assists.

Two months earlier, on Aug. 14, Varnado scored 31 points in his PBA debut to lead Meralco past Barangay Ginebra, 97-88. He matched that total in Tuesday’s win with a spotless stat line.

Varnado raised a fist in celebration after the victory. “We kept our composure,” he said.

Meralco Survives Blackwater Rally to Stay in PBA Group B Playoff Race

Meralco led by as many as 20 points and took a 97-86 cushion into the fourth quarter. Then Barefield, the Filipino-American guard, erupted for a conference-high 31 points.

His scoring fueled a Blackwater surge that gave the Bossing a 113-111 lead with 1:44 left. Varnado and Newsome then delivered the key plays to close out the 120-115 win.

Coach Luigi Trillo was relieved afterward. “Long time, tagal walang laro. And a lot of heroes from us in this game,” he said.

Trillo credited Blackwater for going small ball with players who can switch. “It worked at nakahabol sila,” he said.

Meralco improved to 4-5 in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup and moved into fourth place in Group B, behind Magnolia (6-3), Rain or Shine (4-3) and Phoenix (4-3). Blackwater fell to 3-5, tied with Barangay Ginebra.

Varnado kept the outlook positive. “We still have the opportunity and it’s not yet over,” he said.