Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Allen Durham all praises for Salva, Pinto, Caram: ‘Everybody came to play’


LUCENA, QUEZON — There’s no denying that Meralco’s bench was a major factor in the Bolts tying their 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals series versus rival Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Friday evening.

Nard Pinto, Nico Salva, and Anjo Caram all made significant contributions, especially during the third quarter, where they repelled the Gin Kings’ fightback from a 19-point deficit.

Pinto finished with 12 points, all from threes in the first quarter alone. Salva provided nine markers, while Caram added five as Meralco’s bench outscored its counterparts, 29-12.

Former two-time Best Import Allen Durham feels proud of the effort the bench guys put up in the 104-102 win.

“It’s all a great effort from everybody. For guys who came off the bench who haven’t been playing up to this point? They came in and were very professional,” he said.

“Nico, Nards and all that stuff — without them, I don’t think we’d even win the game tonight. Everybody came to play today, and that’s what we need for the remainder of the [series].”

The win not only allowed the Bolts to level the best-of-seven series; it also broke their four-game losing skid in out-of-town games, two of which happened in Lucena.

Still, Meralco will not dwell on that, instead shifting its focus to Game Three this Sunday, January 12.

For Durham, the Bolts still have things to work on such as their defense, since they nearly blew a 19-point advantage and allowed the Barangay to the game up at 70 late in the third quarter.

#ReadMore  Isaac Go does not let Tab Baldwin, Ateneo down

“We still have lapses on defense. You know, we got to shore up our defense, that’s number one,” he said.

“And then obviously we got to work on our box-and-1 offense and find a little better way to get everybody involved and get better shots. And if we can do that I think we can do better in Game Three.”

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Meralco’s hopes of advancing to the East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four were shattered on Wednesday evening, as the Bolts suffered a heartbreaking...

Basketball

Chris Newsome won’t just leave his brothers behind as Meralco shoots for the remaining ticket to the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) Final...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Ginebra proved steadier down the stretch and outlasted Meralco, 94-87, to complete the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal picture much to...

Basketball

Ginebra leaned on its usual suspects in the endgame to beat Meralco once again, 100-92, and move a step closer to the PBA Season...

Basketball

Magnolia took no chances and dominated an all-Filipino Meralco, 129-92, to remain in the hunt for a ticket to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s...

Basketball

Ginebra withstood Meralco’s late rally and came away with the 91-87 decision in a battle between teams gearing up for the PBA Season 49...

Basketball

Playing without Akil Mitchell, Meralco suffered a critical blow to its 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four aspirations after absorbing an 89-71...

Basketball

Meralco continued its mastery of San Miguel after coming away with a 100-93 decision to make the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal buildup...

Advertisement