The Bolts improved to 8-3.
Shonn Miller and Cliff Hodge conspired in the final stretch as the Meralco Bolts hammered out a 109-102 win over Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday.
Miller poured in 29 points to go with 21 rebounds, three assists, and the same number of steals as Meralco rose to 8-3 and stayed in the hunt for a playoff bonus. Right now, the Bolts and San Miguel Beermen are tied at third.
Cliff Hodge added 11 points, six of which he scored in the final five minutes of the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The two hit the big baskets in crucial moments, none bigger than Miller’s throwdown off a Hodge assist that gave the team a comfortable 108-100 buffer with 1:51 remaining.
Gelo Alolino responded with a tough layup against Miller that came initially with a foul. But the call was overturned after Luigi Trillo called for a challenge.
“We’re excited about the playoffs. We’re really proud of these guys,” Trillo said.
Before their exploits in the final minutes, it was Bong Quinto who kept the Bolts afloat with 20 points, five rebounds, and nine assists. Allein Maliksi, Chris Newsome, and Chris Banchero chimed in 15, 11, and 10 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, Stephen Holt’s 26-point outing went for naught as the Dyip ended their campaign with nine losses.
Juami Tiongson scored 21 points, while Javi Gomez de Liaño added 15.
The Bolts' hold on a twice-to-beat advantage has yet to be secured though, as the 7-3 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is set to end the preliminaries this Saturday against the NLEX Road Warriors in Legazpi City.
(KA)