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Tiebreaker Times

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Durham, Almazan do heavy lifting vs Columbian as Meralco boosts top four chances


Meralco solidified its grasp of the third spot of the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup standings after dealing Columbian a harsh 92-74 beatdown, Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Two-time Best Import Allen Durham finished with 34 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists to power the Bolts to their fourth straight victory that hiked their win-loss card to 7-2.

Raymond Almazan was just two points shy of a 20-20 outing as he produced 18 markers and a career-high 24 boards for Meralco, who missed top gunner Baser Amer due to groin injury.

Durham and Almazan were instrumental for the Orangemen down the stretch, leading a 10-0 assault that gave their side an 85-67 lead with 2:29 left to play to put the game away for good.

“Our two big men, from my point of view, dominated the game,” coach Norman Black said. “Allen did a good job scoring the ball in the paint, and Raymond did a good job of controlling the rebounds.”

Chris Newsome chimed in 10 markers, four assists, three rebounds, three steals, and a block in the win.

Rookie CJ Perez made 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, and three steals to lead Columbian, who lost its second straight game and dropped to 4-6 though it is still hanging on to seventh place.

Import Khapri Alston was the only other double-digit scorer for the Dyip with 19 markers, along with 16 boards.

Columbian already went down big early, 16-34, but showed signs of life after the halftime intermission as it sliced the deficit to just six points. That, until the Bolts regained their groove.

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“Both offense and defense masama yung laro namin. It was a bad game,” lamented coach Johnedel Cardel.

Meralco will next face NorthPort (3-5) on Sunday, November 10, at Ynares Center in Antipolo, while Columbian takes on Barangay Ginebra (6-3) next Friday, November 15, still at the Big Dome.

The Scores:

Meralco 92 – Durham 34, Almazan 18, Newsome 10, Quinto 7, Maliksi 7, Caram 4, Hugnatan 3, Salva 3, Hodge 2, Pinto 2, Jamito 2, Faundo 0, Jackson 0, Jose 0.

Columbian 74 – Perez 21, Alston 19, Tiongson 9, Khobuntin 7, Cahilig 5, McCarthy 4, Reyes 3, Flores 3, Calvo 2, Faundo 1, Camson 0, Corpuz 0.

Quarterscores: 25-11, 45-29, 67-58, 92-74.

Written By

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


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