The Meralco Bolts collected their second win in a row in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup by putting an end to the Magnolia Hotshots’ five-game winning streak, 94-88, Friday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
The Bolts blew a six-point lead early in the final frame and even went down by two with 4:18 to go, but they were able to work through it with their defense. Free throws with 33 ticks left gave them a 92-86 edge, which was more than enough.
“Really good defensive effort from my team tonight. We knew we’re facing one of the top defensive teams in the league, so we had to play good defense – or rediscover our defense – for us to have a chance,” said head coach Norman Black.
Allen Durham flirted with a triple-double with 20 points, 18 rebounds, and eight assists to lead Meralco. Amer contributed 16 points, five boards, and three dimes, while Reynel Hugnatan provided 15 points off the bench.
Chris Newsome added 13 points and eight assists, and Cliff Hodge had 10 markers and 12 caroms.
Meralco had a 72-66 cushion in the early goings of the fourth quarter, but the Hotshots came back roaring. Import Romeo Travis’ three-point play conversion lifted Magnolia to a two-point lead, 81-79, with 4:18 remaining.
The Bolts were quick to respond to the Hotshots’ fiery retaliation. The Fil-American duo of Hodge and Newsome joined hands for a mini 6-0 spurt to give the lead back to the Orangemen, 85-81, with just 2:38 on the clock.
Meralco would then keep hold of the lead the rest of the way. Magnolia still tried to give a major scare, 86-89, with 1:06 left, but Amer went three-for-four from the charity stripe inside the final 57.9 seconds to seal the W.
With the win, Meralco are now 3-6 and have also kept their playoff hopes alive.
“It keeps us alive for the quarterfinals race, but the job is stil going to be different because we still have to win our last two games,” said Black, as his wards will face the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters this Sunday, then the San Miguel Beermen on November 3.
Travis led the Hotshots – who are at 7-2 and were relegated to a tie with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel – with 25 points, 19 rebounds, and five assists. Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee were his only support with 12 markers each.
Magnolia will face the TNT KaTropa next Friday, October 26, still in Ynares Center.
The Scores:
Meralco 94 – Durham 20, Amer 16, Hugnatan 15, Newsome 13, Hodge 12, Salva 8, Jamito 5, Caram 3, Tolomia 2, Lanete 0, Faundo 0, Ballesteros 0.
Magnolia 88 – Travis 25, Lee 12, Sangalang 12, Jalalon 9, Barroca 8, Reavis 8, Brondial 7, Herndon 3, Simon 2, Dela Rosa 2, Pascual 0, Ramos 0.
Quarterscores: 24-19, 43-43, 70-66, 94-88.
