MANILA – Meralco Bolts used a huge fourth quarter rampage to topple Converge FiberXers, 90-74, in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
After seeing its early 15-point lead trimmed to 61-60 by a furious third quarter run by the FiberXers, the Bolts opened the fourth quarter with a 10-2 blast from Allein Maliksi, Aaron Black and Raymond Almazan for a 71-62 upperhand.
Chris Newsome and Clifford Hodge converted from inside while Black and Maliksi hoisted more outside conversions as the lead reached its largest at 90-70 following a basket by Negrense Raymar Jose.
Black finished the game with 25 points, including four outside conversions, as the Bolts moved to a share of top spot of the standings at 2-0 with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings and San Miguel Beermen.
Maliksi chipped in 22 markers, while also connecting five three-point baskets, Newsome ended up with 19 markers, while Almazan and Hodge made their presence on the boards with 15 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
Taylor Browne ended the match with career-high 14 points, with 11 coming in the opening half, while rookie Jeo Ambohot added 10 markers as the FiberXers slumped to 1-2 win-loss slate.
In the first game, Celedonio Trollano drilled a go-ahead basket as the NLEX Road Warriors (2-1) pulled off a 90-89 escape over defending champions TNT Tropang Giga (2-2).
Down 89-88 following an inside basket by Jeth Troy Rosario of Tropang Giga, Trollano swished a perimeter jumper to give the Road Warriors a 90-89 edge with 2.2 seconds left.
The Tropang Giga still had an opportunity to snatch the victory after failing to protect a lead as high as 12 points but Jayson Castro misfired his three-point attempt at the buzzer.
Trollano finished the game with 11 points, Calvin Oftana led the Road Warriors with 20 points, while JR Quiñahan and Kevin Alas contributed 18 and 16 markers, respectively.
BOX SCORE:
MERALCO 90 – Black 25, Maliksi 22, Newsome 19, Hugnatan 6, Hodge 6, Almazan 5, Jose 4, Quinto 3, Banchero 0, Caram 0, Pasaol 0, Pascual 0, Baclao 0.
CONVERGE 74 – Browne 14, Ambohot 10, Teng 8, Adamos 7, Digregorio 6, Racal 6, Ahanmisi 5, Arana 4, Lojera 4, Murrell 3, Hill 2, Stockton 2, Tolomia 2, Ilagan 1, Bulanadi 0.
Quarterscores: 20-23, 44-35, 61-60, 90-72./PN
