Coming off a bad start to their day, the Meralco Bolts made sure to end it right, besting the debuting Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 91-84, to get back on track in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Friday evening at SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Earlier in the day, Meralco found out that Jared Dillinger’s six-year stay with them ended. Though saddened, the Bolts made sure that by the end of the night, they will end it on a high note.
“They deserve a lot of credit or this win,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black.
Nico Salva buried a jumper from the baseline with 1:09 remaining in the game to give the Bolts the 89-84 lead and to douse cold water on the Elasto Painters, who made a 9-2 run to turn a 10-point deficit to just three with 2:20 to go.
Gani Lawal had 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Orangemen but the locals provided so much in the win.
Anjo Caram poured in 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, six assists, and three rebounds. Chris Newsome produced 16 points, seven boards, six dimes, two steals, and a block, as Ranidel De Ocampo chimed in 12 markers.
‘I thought my local players really did a great job tonight because … I feel like Gani really struggled tonight offensively and defensively. So my hat is off to my local players for stepping up,” lauded Black.
“Anjo Caram stepped up tonight. Ranidel de Ocampo came off the bench and gave us a lift. Chris Newsome was very valuable for us tonight. So a lot of the local players really stepped in and did a good job for us,” Black furthered.
The Elasto Painters’ loss spoiled the return of import Denzel Bowles after three years. The 2012 Commissioner’s Cup champ with B-Meg Llamados had 31 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and four blocks in his first game back.
Ed Daquioag led Rain or Shine’s locals with a near-double-double of 13 points and nine rebounds. Beau Belga chimed in 12 markers and eight boards.
Meralco will next face Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters next Friday, June 7, at SMART Araneta Coliseum, while Rain or Shine will look to get their first win versus Blackwater Elite this Sunday, June 2, at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
Meralco 91 – Lawal 19, Caram 17, Newsome 16, De Ocampo 12, Salva 7, Hodge 6, Hugnatan 4, Canaleta 3, Amer 3, Jackson 2, Quinto 2.
Rain or Shine 84 – Bowles 31, Daquioag 13, Belga 12, Nambatac 8, Norwood 7, Mocon 4, Onwubere 3, Yap 3, Borboran 2, Torres 1, Ponferada 0, Alejandro 0, Rosales 0.
Quarterscores: 27-31, 46-52, 71-67, 91-84
