Meralco Bolts win first game of PBA Season 49

Meralco Bolts has defeated the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 99-94 in the opening game of the PBA’s 49th Season.

Returning import Allen Durham led the Bolts with a double-double scoring 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. 

Chris Banchero, who sank the first-ever four-pointer in PBA history, backed Durham with 14 points while Meralco’s captain Christ Newsome added 13 and energy-bunny Cliff Hodge chipped in 12 including nine rebounds and five assists.

Sophomore Jolo Mendoza also made an impact by scoring 13 including the second four-pointer of the game including 3-of-3 shooting from the arc. He even got an ovation from the fans when he was subbed out after giving quality minutes for his team.

On the other hand, Magnolia’s import Glenn Robinson III scored the game-high 29 points, including the first five points of the game highlighted by a three-point play. He added 11 rebounds in his debut in playing overseas.

Ian Sangalang led the Hotshots locals with 17 markers while Paul Lee added 14 including the lone four-point shot of the team when he made in the closing minutes of the game.

The Hotshots actually got off to a good start with a 5-0 run by Robinson himself until Meralco made a 9-0 counter run but countered again by Magnolia with 4-0.

Even though the two defense-oriented teams have runs of their own, they still have a low scoring first quarter with Meralco leading 16-12.

Another exchange of runs happened in the second quarter and Meralco still led at halftime, 43-39.

After the break, offense started clicking for both teams but Meralco did better and even pushed the lead to 11 point lead at the end of third, 74-63.

In the final period, the Bolts erected the largest lead of the game at 14 but the Hotshots made a comeback and cut down the lead to two off Glenn Robinson III three-point basket with less than a minute remaining.

The Hotshots then sent Chris Newsome to the free throw line. Newsome missed the first one and made his second attempt In the next play, Robinson took the potential first ever game-winning four-pointer in history over the outstretched arm of Newsome but he missed the shot.

Allen Durham grabbed the rebound and got fouled. He made the two charity stripes given him to seal the game at 99-94.

Meralco and Magnolia will take on one another again on September 7 at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Cultural, and Sports Gymnasium in Davao.

Meralco 99 – Durham 20, Banchero 14, Newsome 13, Mendoza 13, Hodge 12, Quinto 9, Black 6, Rios 3, Pasaol 3, Cansino 2, Bates 2, Pascual 2, Caram 0, Torres 0.

Magnolia Chicken Timplados 94 – Robinson III 29, Sangalang 17, Lee 14, Barroca 9, Lucero 7, Ahanmisi 6, Dela Rosa 5, Laput 4, Mendoza 3, Abueva 0, Dionisio 0, Escoto 0.