What a difference a solid big man makes for Norman Black and the Meralco Bolts.
The Meralco Bolts limited Tropang TNT to just six second quarter points en route to an 88-84 victory for their second victory and send TNT to a 1-1 slate.
The struggles to find a scoring option for Jong Uichico’s squad were capped by the ejection of Ivan Johnson prior to the end of the first half. Johnson was ejected after two technical fouls towards the end of the first half. He then confronted PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa on the court and threw profanities at the PBA official.
Without Johnson, who had already scored nine points and grabbed four boards at the half, TNT gunners Castro and Fonacier paced the defending Commissioners Cup champions. However, the balanced scoring output of the Bolts helped maintain their lead.
A Ranidel de Ocampo triple with 15.2 seconds left in the game cut the Bolts’ lead to just four. A turnover by the Bolts gave the Texters another shot, but De Ocampo’s attempt was rejected by Cliff Hodge to give them the win.
Cliff Hodge led six Bolts in double-figures with 15 points on 6/13 shooting. He was able to grab eight boards as well. Import Onuaku played 40 minutes in the game and scored 14 points, on 6/8 shooting, and grab seven rebounds. Jared Dillinger added 14 points as well.
Jayson Castro led TNT with 25 points on 7/17 shooting and was able to dish out five assists as well. Larry Fonacier added 15 points with seven of those points coming from the foul stripe.
As a team, the Bolts out-rebounded the Texters 51-40 that led to a 12-3 second chance point advantage. Moreover, TNT’s 18 turnovers resulted to 16 turnover points for Meralco.
The Meralco Bolts (2-0) next play on Wednesday, February 17 against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. On the other hand, Tropang TNT (1-1) need to scramble to find their next import as they are set to face the Globalport Batang Pier on Friday, February 19 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
Meralco (88) – Hodge 15, Anouaku 14, Dillinger 14, Faundo 11, Amer 10, Alapag 10, Newsome 9, David 3, Al-Hussaini 2, Nabong 0, Caram 0, Buenafe 0, Hugnatan 0, Bono 0.
TNT (84) – Castro 25, Fonacier 15, Johnson 9, Williams 8, De Ocampo 7, Reyes R. 7, Carey 6, Nuyles 4, Tautuaa 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Ababou 0, Aban 0.
Quarterscores: 16-20, 33-26, 61-55, 88-84.
Photo courtesy of PBA Images
