
Staying alive
Games Wednesday
(Cuneta Astrodome)
4:30 p.m. -- Rain or Shine vs. Phoenix
7 p.m.--San Miguel vs. NorthPort
MERALCO needed a victory to stay alive in the playoff chase in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Led by two-time PBA Best Import winner Allen Durham, the Bolts got what they wanted -- and more.
Durham scored 19 points, including the final two points in the Bolts’crippling 16-3 run leading to an inspiring 91-82 win over Rain or Shine at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Before Meralco’s game-changing scoring run, the game was tied at 74-all with still 8:27 left.
Durham also had a game-high 20 rebounds for the Bolts, who now have won their last three games and improved to 4-6 for ninth place in the 12-team standings.
“It’s just another step.Now we put ourselves in a position where we have a chance for the playoffs,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
“Our defense was pretty good. We made some mistakes, but our defense was really good. On the other side, we had a balanced scoring,” added Black.
Mike Tolomia finished with 17 points, Cliff Hodge added 14 points and 11 rebounds and Chris Newsome had 12 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Norbert Torres was the top scorer for Rain or Shine with 16 points.
Terrence Watson added 14 points and 13 boards, Rey Nambatac had 13 and Ed Daquioag had 10.
The scores:
Meralco (91) -- Durham 19, Tolomia 17, Hodge 14, Newsome 12, Caram 11, Hugnatan 10, Salva 4, Amer 2, Jamito 2.
Rain or Shine (82) -- Torres 16, Watson 14, Nambatac 13, Daquioag 10, Ponferada 7, Ahanmisi 7, Yap 7, Norwood 6, Borboran 2.
Quarterscores: 19-19, 44-43, 65-65, 91-82.