Allein Maliksi and Chris Newsome helped Meralco overcome Rain or Shine, 107-102, for a triumphant start to their PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup campaign, Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Newsome finished with 20 points, while Maliksi fired 16 as the seasoned tandem came through with important buckets to lead the Bolts in joining Magnolia and Blackwater as the early leaders of the recently-opened season.
Newsome first nailed a perimeter jumper to widen the gap to six points, 105-99, with 1:53 to go, before Maliksi nailed a pair of free throws with only 18.4 seconds left to play — shortly after Andrei Caracut’s triple — to secure the victory.
“It’s a hard matchup for us,” said Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo. “Rain or Shine is going to be a team that can contend here.”
Import Suleiman Braimoh Jr. top-scored for Meralco with 34 points and 14 rebounds, together with three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
“It’s a challenge but I’m looking forward to a good season,” said the 34-year-old Nigerian, who replaced original choice Ferron Hunt prior to the season.
Cliff Hodge registered a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Bolts, who missed Chris Banchero (hamstring) in their opener.
The Bolts will look to make it two in a row against the Bossing (1-0) on Saturday, November 11, 3 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Dajuan Summers, meanwhile, led Rain or Shine with 27 points and nine rebounds in the comeback that fell short. The team trailed by 13 points at the half before slowly clawing back in the final period.
They actually got to within just two, 97-95, but Suleiman nailed a triple before Maliksi and Newsome conspired for the finishing blows.
Wasted by the loss was the solid debut of rookie Keith Datu, who finished with 16 points — 10 in the third alone — and five rebounds.
Santi Santillan also chimed in 16 points, along with seven rebounds. Caracut made 15 points, while Jhonard Clarito added 13 for the Elasto Painters.
Rain or Shine (0-1) will look to get its first win of the season against NorthPort on Sunday, November 12, 3 p.m. also at Ynares-Antipolo.
The Scores:
Meralco 107 – Braimoh 34, Newsome 20, Maliksi 16, Hodge 10, Dario 8, Almazan 6, Torres 5, Caram 3, Quinto 3, Black 2, Pasaol 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0.
Rain or Shine 102 – Summers 27, Santillan 16, Datu 16, Caracut 15, Clarito 13, Nambatac 7, Mamauyac 4, Belga 2, Norwood 1, Demusis 1, Asistio 0 , Belo 0.
Quarters: 39-30, 63-50, 77-70, 107-102.
