The Meralco Bolts managed to keep in step against host team Shabab Al Ahli before faltering in the fourth period of their opening match in the Basketball Champions League Asia.
Deshawndre Washington did not need much to get going as he fired 40 points to power Shabab Al Ahli past Meralco, 101-87, in the Basketball Champions League Asia opener at the Sheikh Saeed Bin Maktoum Sports Hall in Dubai Saturday, June 7.
The Red Knights needed only four points from him in the final period to slowly pull away from the gritty Bolts, who are reinforced by Glynn Watson, Jordon Varnado and John Egbunu.
Washington’s free throws with 3:42 left in the match stretched his squad's lead to 96-81, and there was nothing Meralco could do after that.
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He also had seven rebounds and six assists.
Jermaine Love added 22 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.
For a team that crammed in their preparations for the week-long tournament, the Bolts played decently against last year’s runner-up.
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Varnado punched in 19 points, eight rebounds, two assists and three steals.
While Watson also scored 19 and added three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Chris Newsome contributed for the local crew with 15 points, three rebounds, two assists and three steals for the Bolts.
“Deserved win for the Al Ahli. They really played well. Offensively, they gave us a lot of problems,” said Meralco coach Nenad Vucinic.
The Bolts will have to quickly put this loss behind them as they take on Japan B.LEAGUE champion Utsonomiya Brex on Sunday, June 8.
Match unfurls at 10 p.m.