Import Allen Durham scored his team’s last four points to help the Meralco Bolts defeat the Mahindra Enforcer, 86-83, and claim a twice-to-beat bonus in the playoffs of the season-ending PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.
Durham finished with 34 points, including the game-changer – a turnaround jumper that gave the Bolts an 84-83 lead with just 46 ticks.
The Enforcer had a chance to retake the upper hand when LA Revilla intercepted a pass by Meralco rookie Chris Newsome with 12 second to play.
But Aldrech Ramos committed a passing error off a time out as Meralco regained possession with five seconds remaining in the game.
Fouled by Paolo Taha with 1.2 seconds left, Durham calmly converted the freebies that gave them an 86-83 lead – and eventually the win that gave them a 6-5 record to end their elimination round campaign.
Mahindra also ended with a 6-5 card, but it will settle for No. 5 due to the winner over the other rule.
“It’s actually nice to win a close game,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.
Aside from Meralco, also assured of twice-to-beat in the quarterfinal playoffs are TNT KaTropa (8-1), Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (7-2) and defending champion San Miguel Beer (7-3).