Akil Mitchell delivered a sensational debut performance for Meralco, scoring 33 points and grabbing 22 rebounds to lead the Bolts to a thrilling 81-80 victory over KBL champion Busan KCC in the 2024-25 East Asia Super League at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Wednesday.
With Meralco trailing by 11 points late in the game, Bong Quinto tied the score at 80 with a clutch three-pointer with 30.9 seconds remaining.
Then, with 6.4 seconds left, Mitchell was fouled by Busan’s Leon Williams on a rebound play, sending him to the free-throw line.
Mitchell calmly split the free throws, giving Meralco a one-point lead it would not relinquish.
Mitchell’s dominant performance was the key to Meralco’s comeback, as the Bolts erased a late deficit to claim their second win of the EASL season, improving to a 2-1 record.
DJ Kennedy also contributed with 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Quinto, Ange Kouame, and Chris Newsome each chipped in eight points.
Busan KCC had held a 64-53 lead late in the third quarter, but they couldn’t hold off the Bolts’ surge in the final moments.
Deonte Burton led the charge for Busan with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals, but the team failed to capitalize on their late-game advantage.
Heo Ung’s desperation shot missed the mark as time expired.
The win was a much-needed bounce-back for Meralco, who had previously lost to Ryukyu Golden Kings in an away game last month – marking Allen Durham’s farewell appearance for the Bolts.
With this victory, Meralco has already surpassed its win total from last season, where they managed just one win.
For Busan KCC, which fell to 0-2, Deonte Burton was the standout player. He finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Heo and Lee Geun-Hwi added 14 points apiece.
The Scores:
Meralco 81 – Mitchell 33, Kennedy 14, Newsome 8, Quinto 8, Kouame 8, Hodge 6, Banchero 4, Caram 0.
Busan KCC 80 – Burton 26, Lee G. 14, Heo 14, Lee S. 9, Williams 9, Jung 6, Lee H. 2, Yeo 0, Epistola 0.
Quarterscores: 20-26, 42-53, 63-68, 81-80.
