MANILA — The Meralco Bolts bounced back from a loss to deal the Star Hotshots a 96-90 beating in the PBA Governors’ Cup road game in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Saturday night.

The Bolts thus assured themselves of a quarterfinals berth with their sixth win in eight games. They are now at third place in the standings behind the pacesetting Barangay Ginebra (7-1) and NLEX (7-2).

The Hotshots absorbed their third straight loss after winning their first four games, tying San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine at fifth to seventh place. Star’s previous loss was against Ginebra in an overtime thriller last Sunday.

Reigning Best Import Allen Durham stamped his class anew, leading the Bolts with a huge double-double of 29 points and 27 boards. He also had seven assists, three blocks, and one steal as Meralco rebounded from a loss against TNT last Wednesday.

Chris Newsome added 17 markers, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds, while a fit-again Cliff Hodge tallied 15 points. Baser Amer and Garvo Lanete chipped in 13 and 11 markers, respectively.

The Bolts were on fire from the get-go, racing to a 17-point first quarter lead, 32-15, with Amer and Lanete contributing eight points apiece in that period alone.

Meralco’s lead ballooned to as many as 20 points halfway through the third quarter before the Hotshots made a furious catch-up bid.

A basket by Star import Malcolm Hill cut Meralco’s lead to 6 points, 85-91, with less than 2 minutes left. Newsome, however, responded with a shot off a drive that sealed the win for the Bolts.

Hill led Star with his own double-double of 28 points and 10 boards. Jio Jalalon added 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Ian Sangalang had 11 markers.

Games Sunday: Kia Picanto (0-8) vs. Alaska Aces (2-6) and Barangay Ginebra Kings (7-1) vs. San Miguel Beermen (4-3).