Quezon city: Jordon Varnado made a significant impact for Meralco in his long-awaited debut, helping the Bolts end a four-game slump with a 97-88 victory over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum. According to Philippines News Agency, Varnado, who had been sidelined by a calf strain before the conference commenced last month, contributed 31 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks. This performance was instrumental in rejuvenating the Bolts' quest for a quarterfinal spot in Group B. Varnado, taking over import duties from stand-in Antonio Hester, showcased his skills as Meralco advanced to the fifth spot with a 3-5 record, pushing Ginebra (2-4) to the sixth and last position in the bracket. Ginebra initially claimed victory in their first encounter, with an 84-75 win on July 31. However, when Ginebra narrowed Meralco's lead to three points at 81-78 in the fourth quarter, Varnado went on a 14-point scoring spree, highlighted by a crucial four -point play, a three-point play, and a triple, effectively quelling Ginebra's threat. Varnado expressed satisfaction with the win despite missing several free throws towards the game's end. "I did okay. Missed too many free throws at the end but I'm just glad we got the win and when we come back from the (league's long) break, we have the opportunity to push forward," he remarked about his debut performance. Meralco coach Luigi Trillo commended Varnado's resilience, stating, "I think coming into a situation like that, it's very hard for Jordon because it's his first game back. He's been out of his rhythm but I thought he made a lot of big shots down the stretch." Chris Newsome also played a crucial role in the must-win game, delivering an error-free performance with 18 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, including an important jumper off a Varnado feed that stretched Meralco's lead to 87-80. For Ginebra, Riley Grigsby was a standout performer with 34 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists, potential ly marking his final appearance with the team as Justin Brownlee is expected to return for the tournament's resumption in October. In the earlier game, Converge faced challenges against an import-less NLEX but managed to secure a 112-110 win, climbing to third place in Group A with a 5-4 record. Cameron Clark led the FiberXers with 37 points and 12 rebounds, capitalizing on the absence of injured DeQuan Jones. The PBA Governors' Cup will pause for a 'Gilas break' until October 6, allowing the national men's basketball team to compete in the FIBA World Cup Asian qualifiers and the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.