The Meralco Bolts bucked a sluggish start and the tough challenge Columbian Dyip imposed, 109-106, to successfully begin their 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign, Friday evening at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
“Definitely it’s a good start for us this conference,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black, whose wards spoiled the debut of new Columbian head coach Johnedel Cardel. Cardel took over Dyip’s coaching reins from Ricky Dandan.
Reigning, two-time Best Import Allen Durham was just one assist shy of a triple-double, producing 26 points, 20 rebounds, and nine assists to pace Meralco. Baser Amer provided 23 points, eight rebounds, amd six assists.
The Bolts found it hard to shake off rust early, that they caught themselves staring at a 14-point deficit in the second frame. But it all changed in the third quarter as they roared back, and a 12-3 blitz gave them an 83-73 lead.
Meralco already had a 106-100 lead with 3:11 left in the fourth quarter, but Columbian was just too tough to crack. They scored six straight points — ended by Glenn Khobuntin’s lay-up — to tie the game up with 1:15 to go.
Amer though took the lead back for Meralco 15 seconds later, 108-106, through an aggressive drive to the hoop. The Dyip tried to tie again, but Akeem Wright missed his jumper and KG Cañaleta blocked Jackson Corpuz.
Durham’s split from the foul line with 104 ticks left and Roider Cabrera’s missed three-pointer were all enough to seal the victory for the Orangemen.
“It’s very difficult to stop tonight. Our first half was a little bit shakey, but we were able to fix some things and we played a lot better in the third,” said Black on the victory. “Definitely we have to get a lot better defensively.”
Cliff Hodge had 11 points, while Anjo Caram and Ranidel De Ocampo made 10 markers apiece for Meralco.
Debuting import Akeem Wright, who suffered a bad fall with 1.4 ticks left in the game, led Columbian with 30 points and 14 rebounds. Jerramy King nearly had a double-double as he finished with 24 points and eight boards.
Meralco will next face TNT Katropa this Sunday, August 19, still at the Ynares Arena, while Columbian will look to get on the win column as they take on the Phoenix Fuel Masters on August 22 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
Meralco 109 – Durham 26, Amer 23, Tolomia 14, Hodge 11, Caram 10, de Ocampo 10, Canaleta 9, Salva 4, Newsome 2, Hugnatan 0, Laneta 0, Bono 0.
Columbian 106 – Wright 30, King 24, Khobuntin 10, Corpuz 10, Escoto 8, Camson 8, McCarthy 5, Celda 5, Tubid 2, Cahilig 2, Cabrera 2, Lastimosa 0.
Quarterscores: 26-25, 53-43, 85-76, 109-106.
