The Meralco Bolts wasted a 12-point lead but held on to claim a third straight win against the Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
Terrafirma’s bench erupted after Vic Manuel scored on a post-up move against Meralco import DJ Kennedy.
That shot, after all, tied things up at 91-all for the Dyip, who battled back from 12 points down.
There was just a little more than a minute left in the match that could possibly give Terrafirma its first win after three failed attempts in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.
But just when the Dyip thought they were on pace to do just that, the Bolts completely shut the door on the woeful Terrafirma.
Jansen Rios was left open in the right corner, where he launched the triple that put Meralco back in front.
Chris Newsome then sealed it for the Bolts, which came away with the 96-91 win — their third straight — instead on Friday, Dec. 6.
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Lady luck smiled the Meralco Bolts' way
Chris Newsome seals the Meralco Bolts' third straight win against the Terrafirma Dyip with a pair of freebies. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
For Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, his squad just got lucky in the end.
“We got lucky,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, whose team rejoined NorthPort, also at 3-0, on top of the standings.
“We’re not happy with the way we executed. We had it in the bag. [But] the last three minutes we let them back in the game.”
DJ Kennedy, who was debuting in lieu of injured Akil Mitchell (broken nose), finished with 32 points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal for Meralco.
Newsome added 15 points, including the free throws in the end.
Raymond Almazan added 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Rios fired 11 points on a perfect 2-for-2 from the three-point area.
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Down 89-76 in the final 5:48 minutes, Terrafirma slowly got back in the game behind replacement import Brandon Edwards, Brent Paraiso and Manuel, who combined for a spirited 15-2 rally that led to the thrilling finish.
Edwards had the chance to give the Dyip the lead but botched a point blank shot and then failed to go back on defense right away, leading to the wide open Rios triple.
Still, Edwards topscored for Terrafirma with 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Paraiso had 20 points, a rebound, three assists, and three steals while Manuel put up 13 points for the embattled Dyip, who succumbed to a fourth consecutive loss.
The Scores:
MERALCO 96 – Kennedy 32, Newsome 15, Almazan 15, Rios 11, Caram 7, pascual 6, Quinto 4Hodge 3, Pasaol 2, Black 1, Jose 0, Torres 0.
TERRAFIRMA 91 – Edwards 21, Paraiso 20, Manuel 13, Sangalang 10, Melecio 9, Pringle 6, Olivario 5, Catapusan 2, Nonoy 2, Ramos 2, Ferrer 1, Hernandez 0, Zaldivar 0.
Quarterscores: 21-20, 39-40, 69-61, 96-91