MANILA – Meralco Bolts survived a late surge from Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings for a 108-104 victory in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Holding to a 108-99 after a basket by Bolts’ Clifford Hodge, the Gin Kings responded with a three-pointer and two free throws from Jamie Malonzo to cut the deficit to 104-108.
Bolts’ Chris Newsome missed on his three-point try in the next possession, but the Gin Kings failed to capitalize as rookie Rhon Jay Abarrientos missed a four-point shot at the buzzer.
Newsome led the way with 24 points, while Clifford Hodge and Jansen Rios added 17 and 15 markers, respectively, as the Bolts tied the best-of-three series at 1-1.
Kier John Quinto and Chris Banchero contributed 14 and 13 markers, respectively, while Akil Mitchell tallied a triple-double of 13 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in the win.
Justin Brownlee top-scored for the Gin Kings with 36 points, Earl Scottie Thompson added 21 markers, while Abarrientos and Japeth Aguilar had 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
On Thursday night, TNT Tropang Giga, which owns a twice-to-beat incentive, turned things around in the second half to oust the Hong Kong Eastern, 109-93, in their quarterfinals match.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson posted a double-double of 31 points and 15 rebounds to go with four assists and three steals as the No. 2 ranked Tropang Giga moved on to the semifinals round.
Rey Nambatac added 18 markers, Jayson Castro contributed 16 points, including 10 in the third quarter, while John Paul Erram and Calvin Oftana had 15 and 12 points, respectively, for TNT.
Hayden Blankley finished with 24 points and seven rebounds, Cameron Clark added 16 markers, while Glen Yang and Kobey Lam contributed 14 and 11 markers, respectively, in the loss./PN
