Akil Mitchell of Meralco Bolts during a match against San Miguel Beermen during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Candon City. –PBA IMAGES
Meralco muzzled San Miguel’s best in the final frame Saturday night for a 100-93 victory in a rare PBA Commissioner’s Cup match at Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.
Buoyed by strong plays from import Akil Mitchell and cornerstone Chris Newsome in addition to another stellar performance from Chris Banchero, the Bolts captured a third straight victory for a 7-3 mark and a four-way tie in the middle of the ranking.
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The win gives Meralco a chance to take a two-goal lead to advance to the quarterfinals.
Mitchell had 26 points and 16 rebounds, Newsome added 20 more in the scoring effort which also saw Banchero score 19. This as they limited the Beermen to just 13 points in a third quarter revealing which placed the powerhouse in a perilous position in the race. for a playoff spot.
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Chris Newsome of Meralco Bolts during a game against San Miguel Beermen during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Candon City. –PBA IMAGES
San Miguel, which was also coming off a victory against its sister Magnolia, fell to 4-5 (win-loss) barely below the qualifying threshold for the next round.
The Beermen got 20 points and 13 rebounds from reigning MVP June Mar Fajardo and 16 more points from Spitfire guard CJ Perez.
New import Malik Pope was hardly a presence, finishing with just 14 points and nine rebounds – lackluster numbers compared to the numbers posted by San Miguel’s former imports who also played alongside his towering cornerstone.
Meralco will have the opportunity to strengthen its bid for a playoff bonus when it faces Barangay Ginebra and then Magnolia.
San Miguel, meanwhile, will have three more chances to right the ship and when they face NorthPort, Converge and league leaders TNT.
The scores:
MERALCO 100 – Mitchell 26, Newsome 20, Banchero 19, Reyson 7, Almazan 6, Cansino 6, Mendoza 4, Hodge 4, Rios 3, Torres 3, Quinto 2, Bates 0, Caram 0,
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QUARTERS: 26-18, 46-47, 80-80, 100-93.
