MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts overcame a gutsy problem put up by the Terrafirma Dyip to increase their unbeaten run to 3 video games within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, 96-91, on the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, December 6.
Jansen Rios proved to be the unlikely hero for Meralco as he sank a clutch three-pointer from the nook with solely 9 seconds left to provide the Bolts a 94-91 lead.
Terrafirma had an opportunity to reply within the subsequent possession, however Vic Manuel didn’t catch Brent Paraiso’s cross off the inbounds play, as Chris Newsome sealed the deal for Meralco with two free throws on the opposite finish.
Stepping in for the injured Akil Mitchell – who suffered a damaged nostril of their earlier sport – DJ Kennedy, Meralco’s second import within the EASL, willed the Bolts to the hard-fought victory with a game-high 32 factors on 8-of-15 capturing, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Newsome backstopped Kennedy with an all-around outing of 15 factors, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and three steals, Raymond Almazan tallied a double-double of 15 factors and 12 rebounds, whereas Rios chipped in 11 markers on 2-of-2 capturing from deep.
Terrafirma’s new import Brandon Edwards – who changed Ryan Richards – posted a double-double of 21 factors and 13 rebounds, whereas Paraiso stepped up large with 20 markers.
Already trailing by as many as 16 factors within the third quarter, the Dyip fought their manner again within the remaining body, tying the rating at 91-all off two free throws by Vic Manuel with 1:08 remaining.
Terrafirma then had a golden alternative to seize the lead after a miss by Kennedy within the subsequent play, however Edwards likewise didn’t convert on his potential go-ahead layup with 21 ticks left.
Nonetheless taking part in with out its newly acquired star Terrence Romeo attributable to an harm, Terrafirma remained winless in 4 tries.
In the meantime, Hong Kong Japanese bounced again in type from its loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and gave the TNT Tropang Giga a impolite welcome within the Commissioner’s Cup with a 105-84 rout within the second sport.
Cameron Clark confirmed the way in which for Japanese with one other enormous double-double of 36 factors and 14 rebounds, whereas Hayden Blankley atoned for his terrible 1-of-15 capturing efficiency in opposition to Rain or Shine two days in the past with 24 factors on 8-of-15 capturing and 10 rebounds.
With the rating knotted at 47-all at halftime, TNT instantly didn’t hold consistent with Japanese because the latter unleashed a 26-16 third-quarter rally for a 73-63 cushion heading into the fourth.
Japanese stored its double-digit benefit the remainder of the way in which because the undermanned Tropang Giga – who performed minus their key veterans Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams – simply merely ran out of fuel within the second half.
TNT additionally misplaced its prime large man Poy Erram simply 4 minutes into the ball sport after he acquired ejected for hitting Japanese’s Glenn Yang above the shoulder.
Returning import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was the lone brilliant spot for the Governors’ Cup champion Tropang Giga as he exploded for 33 factors on 12-of-22 capturing and seven rebounds within the loss.
Japanese hiked its report to 3-1, whereas TNT opened its Commissioner’s Cup marketing campaign on the incorrect foot at 0-1.
The Scores
First Recreation
Meralco 96 – Kennedy 32, Newsome 15, Almazan 15, Rios 11, Caram 7, Pascual 6, Quinto 4, Hodge 3, Pasaol 2, Black 1, Jose 0, Torres 0.
Terrafirma 91 – Edwards 21, Paraiso 20, Manuel 13, Sangalang 10, Melecio 9, Pringle 6, Olivario 5, Catapusan 2, Nonoy 2, Ramos 2, Ferrer 1, Hernandez 0, Zaldivar 0.
Quarters: 21-20, 39-40, 69-61, 96-91.
Second Recreation
Japanese 105 – Clark 36, Blankely 24, Yang 19, Cao 17, Cheung 3, Lam 3, Xu 2, Zhu 1, Guinchard 0, Sulaiman 0, Chan 0.
TNT 84 – Hollis-Jefferson 33, Aurin 12, Pogoy 9, Oftana 7, Exciminiano 4, Ebona 4, Erram 4, Galinato 3, Razon 2, Nambatac 2, Heruela 0, Varilla 0, Payawal 0.
Quarters: 21-22, 47-47, 73-63, 105-84.
– Rappler.com
