Meralco Bolts import DJ Kennedy against CJ Catapusan during a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Meralco turned to its poise down the crunch on Friday night to turn back Terrafirma, 96-91, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Bolts survived a late Dyip rally at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila, and pulled through thanks largely to the efforts of stand-in import DJ Kennedy and Jansen Rios.
Article continues after this advertisement
“We got lucky. If you think about it, maganda start ng Terrafirma. I thought they played in the first half. We just got it together in the third,” head coach Luigi Trillo said on the heels of a win that had the club improving to a 3-0 start in the conference.
READ: PBA: Meralco rallies from 23 down to beat Phoenix
Kennedy, a contingency measure for the hurt Akil Mitchell, finished with 32 points and six rebounds, while Rios 11, including a corner triple with nine ticks remaining to break a 91-all stalemate that also took the fight out of a Terrafirma side looking to get out of a three-game slide.
Article continues after this advertisement
Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan both finished with 15 points for Meralco, who will tackle Blackwater next on Dec. 12.
READ: PBA: Meralco gets timely boost from returning Aaron Black
New import Brandon Edwards had 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Brent Paraiso chipped in 20 points. Vic Manuel added 13 more in the scoring effort, his late heroics going down the drain.
The Dyip, a perennial doormat now sitting on a four-game losing skid, battle San Miguel next.
The Scores:
MERALCO 96 – Kennedy 32, Newsome 15, Almazan 15, Rios 11, Caram 7, pascual 6, Quinto 4Hodge 3, Pasaol 2, Black 1, Jose 0, Torres 0.
TERRAFIRMA 91 – Edwards 21, Paraiso 20, Manuel 13, Sangalang 10, Melecio 9, Pringle 6, Olivario 5, Catapusan 2, Nonoy 2, Ramos 2, Ferrer 1, Hernandez 0, Zaldivar 0.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
Quarterscores: 21-20, 39-40, 69-61, 96-91.