Alapag sits out game; Amer steps up big time.
Rookie Baser Amer scored all of his seven points in the final 1:29 as Meralco boosted its playoff bid with a 101-95 victory over NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The former San Beda standout highlighted his heroics by scoring a three-point shot from the left corner that gave the Bolts a 95-88 lead, enough to hike their record to 5-3 for fifth place in the team standings.
Import Allen Durham finished with 31 points on 10-of-17 shooting with 17 rebounds, Cliff Hodge contributed 17 points, while Jared Dillinger, Kelly Nabong and Chris Newsome added 12 markers apiece for Meralco.
“So many people contributed… and we needed all of that to win against a tough NLEX team. It was a really hard fought game, but we basically won the game on the thing that we talked about and that is rebounding,” said Black, whose Bolts dominated the glass, 44-39.
“All the credit goes to my players for their teamwork, offensively and defensively,” added Black.
The victory also gave Meralco a chance to snatch the twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs, given to the top four teams after the elimination round.
“We have to continue winning, we have San Miguel next (game on Wednesday),” said Black. “All our games are important, and the crucial thing is we have to continue winning, that’s the bottom line.”
NLEX, playing its first game since Macmac Cardona was rushed to the hospital after an apparent suicide attempt, dropped to 3-4.
Walker led all scorers with 38 points while grabbing nine rebounds. Sean Anthony had 13 markers, Emman Monfort added 12 and Asi Taulava scored 10.
Scores:
MERALCO 101 – Durham 31, Hodge 17, Dillinger 12, Nabong 12, Newsome 12, Faundo 10, Amer 7, Buenafe 0, Caram 0, Hugnatan 0.
NLEX 95 – Walker 38, Anthony13, Monfort 12, Taulava 10, Khobuntin 8, Baracael 4, Akl 3, Arboleda 3, Alas 2, Reyes 2, Soyud 0, Villanueva E. 0.
Quarters: 22-19, 44-36, 70-66, 101-95.
