Delroy James took over down the stretch to tow Meralco past San Miguel, 95-91, to advance to a playoff with Alaska for the eighth and last slot of the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarters Wednesday at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
James scored the Bolts’ last six points, including back-to-back hits inside the final 1:03 that both came from his stops on counterpart Chris McCullough, whom he has played against before in their hometown of New York.
The 6-foot-8 forward also collected six assists, five rebounds, four steals, and two blocks in nearly 45 minutes.
“Delroy really came through in the clutch when he hit the key baskets,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black. “So, we get to live another day to fight Alaska. I know it’s gonna be a tough game for us but at least we have a chance.’
Chris Newsome supplied 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists as Raymond Almazan had 15 markers in the win.
McCullough and June Mar Fajardo — the duo which powered San Miguel in an 89-87 escape from Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last July 13 in Cagayan de Oro — had 27 points apiece and combined for 29 rebounds in the defeat.
McCullough actually had a chance to trim the deficit with 21.9 seconds left to play but he missed both of his free throws. SMB was able to get the ball back and Fajardo looked to score, but he blocked by Raymond Almazan.
Terrence Romeo was the only other Beerman who finished with double figures as he had 11 markers.
With the loss that brought their win-loss record to 5-6, San Miguel could finish either at the sixth or seventh spot, depending on the result of the TNT KaTropa-Magnolia Hotshots game being played as of press time.
The Beermen will earn the sixth seed given that the Hotshots will beat the KaTropa, and it will set them up in a best-of-three quarterfinal series against the third-seeded Blackwater Elite, whom they beat in the elimination round.
Otherwise, SMB falls to seventh, which puts them in a twice-to-beat disadvantage against NorthPort Batang Pier.
The Scores:
Meralco 95 – James 34, Newsome 20, Almazan 15, Faundo 10, Amer 8, Jackson 3, Quinto 3, Hodge 2, Salva 0, De Ocampo 0.
San Miguel 91 – McCullough 27, Fajardo 27, Romeo 11, Standhardinger 9, Santos 6, Lassiter 3, Nabing 3, Pessumal 3, Ross 2, Rosser 0.
Quarterscores: 22-21, 42-42, 74-70, 95-91.
