The Meralco Bolts received a rude welcome in the 2018 FIBA Asia Champions Cup as they got beaten by home team Mono Vampire BC, 92-100, Thursday evening at the Stadium29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
The Bolts even led by as much as eight in the first half, but the Thai ball club turned it up a notch in the second half especially in the final frame, where they opened it up with an 8-0 run that left the visiting team shackled.
Diamond Louis Stone, the replacement import for the 7-foot-2 Liam McMorrow, paced the Bolts with 23 points on 22 shots alongside eight rebounds and three blocks. Allen Durham supplied 20 markers and 18 rebounds.
Baser Amer and Reynel Hugnatan had 18 and 13 markers, respectively.
The Philippine contingent actually had a good start into the match, as they held on to the driver’s seat for a good amount of time. They even led by as many as eight points, 32-24, early in the second quarter, and led by three at the half.
Mono, however, became a different team after the break. After being at the backseat, the home team was able to patch up some runs, and they eventually led by four, 66-62, approaching the three-minute mark of the third canto.
And come the final frame, the show became a one-sided affair in favor of Mono. Import Marcus Keene caught fire, and a personal 8-0 run propelled the orange-clad squad to a 78-70 advantage with 8:49 on the clock.
Mono would go on to lead by 10, 92-82, with 3:42 left.
Meralco still tried one last ditch to save themselves from the hole as they knocked within three, 89-92, but back-to-back baskets from Keene and Mike Singletary heading into the final minute shut the door close for the Bolts.
Keene finished with 29 points and eight assists. Singletary produced 25 points and 15 rebounds, while Darongpan Apiromvilaichai chipped in 11 points.
The Bolts, who played without Cliff Hodge and Chris Newsome due to eligibility issues, will look to bounce back versus reigning Japan B.LEAGUE champions Alvark Tokyo tomorrow, Friday, September 28, at 1:00 PM.
The Scores:
Meralco-Pilipinas (92) – Stone 23, Durham 20, Amer 18, Hugnatan 13, Caram 8, Salva 5, Tolomia 3, Jamito 2, Atkins 0, Cañaleta 0, Lanete 0, Ballesteros 0.
Mono Vampire-Thailand (100) – Keene 29, Singletary 25, Apiromvilaichai 13, Saengtong 11, Chanachon 7, Chanthachon 6, Ananti 4, Suktub 3, Sunthonsiri 2.
Quarterscores: 28-21, 50-47, 70-70, 92-100
