Allen Durham notched a triple-double as he led Meralco to a 114-94 win over TNT to tie their 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series to one game apiece, Tuesday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The two-time Best Import finished with 44 points, 19 rebounds, and 11 assists in over 42 minutes of action as the Bolts bounced back from the 94-103 loss they got in Game One last Sunday.
The 31-year-old American also had a hand in the Orangemen’s 16-0 blast en route to an 18-3 start into the match, which then proved to be the start of a one-sided affair in their favor.
“I haven’t seen the stat sheet but Durham played a very good game for us,” lauded coach Norman Black.
Durham’s fellow starters also made a mark in the dominant victory. Baser Amer produced 20 points, Bong Quinto supplied 12 points, and Chris Newsome chimed in 11 markers.
Raymond Almazan was the only starter to not finish in twin digits but he had nine points, eight rebounds, an assist, and a block. He gave Meralco its biggest lead at 35, 60-25, late in the second frame.
“We had a lot of good effort from a lot of people today,” Black said. “Everybody contributed, everybody pitched in.”
Meralco shot 45-percent from the field and dished out 23 assists but its defense was solid as well.
It limited TNT to just 31-percent shooting, and made Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy shoot for a combined 0-for-15 from the floor — this, after combing for 35 points in Game One.
“It was a good defensive effort, and our offense was much, much better today,” lauded the decorated Black.
KJ McDaniels led the KaTropa with 51 points, nine rebounds, and six blocks in the stinging loss.
“Hopefully wake up call ito,” said KaTropa head coach Bong Ravena. “If not, we will be in trouble.”
Game Three of the best-of-five series is on Thursday, December 19, 7:00 p.m. still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Meralco 114 – Durham 44, Amer 20, Quinto 12, Newsome 11, Almazan 9, Maliksi 8, Caram 4, Faundo 3, Hugnatan 3, Jackson 0, Hodge 0, Salva 0, Pinto 0.
TNT 94 – McDaniels 51, Parks 12, Rosario 9, Castro 7, Digregorio 6, Vosotros 5, Semerad 2, Williams 2, Pogoy 0, De Leon 0, Reyes 0, Taha 0.
Quarterscores: 35-16, 63-29, 89-66, 114-94.
