ANTIPOLO CITY — Meralco connected on its three-point shots in the fourth quarter to shake off stubborn Blackwater 106-97 and stay inside the top four of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center here.
Baser Amer and rookie Bong Quinto hit two threes each in the payoff period as the Bolts finally pulled it through amid multiple comeback tries by the Elite to post their fourth win in six games for solo fourth.
John Pinto also connected in the fourth, giving Meralco five of its seven threes in that period. The Bolts were 2-of-10 from rainbow country through the first three quarters despite an 80-74 lead.
Import Allen Durham had 27 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and two steals as Meralco bounced back from a 116-113 loss to TNT KaTropa last Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Raymond Almazan posted 19 points and 10 rebounds and Amer scored 17 for the Bolts.
Blackwater couldn’t produce a fitting follow-up to its 95-89 win over defending champion Magnolia two nights earlier in this venue and fell to a record of 2-4.
Mike DiGregorio scored 22 points while import Marqus Blakely produced 15 points, 17 rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Elite.
Rookie Ray Parks scored 12 points but struggled anew after being held scoreless in the first half. (Jonas Terrado)
The scores:
MERALCO 106 – Durham 27, Almazan 19, Amer 17, Canaleta 13, Newsome 8, Quinto 8, Pinto 7, Faundo 3, Caram 2, Hugnatan 2.
BLACKWATER 97 – Digregorio 22, Blakely 15, Parks 12, Maliksi 12, Al-Hussaini 11, Belo 10, Cortez 4, Cruz 3, Desiderio 2, Sena 2, Sumang 2, Alolino 2.
Quarters: 22-20, 56-50, 80-74, 106-97.
