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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
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04
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26
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2024
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SERVICES
THE INQUIRER COMPANY
04
26
2024
Meralco stood its ground in a defensive battle with Purefoods Star, holding the defending champs down to four points in the last four minutes as the Bolts upended the Hotshots, 83-81, in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome Sunday night.
Ahead by two, 83-81, in the final minute, the Bolts put up a good honest defense in each of the Hotshots’ last three offensive thrusts and stayed abreast with the San Miguel Beermen at fourth place with a 2-2 slate.
The Hotshots, who’ve been struggling all season long, moved down to eighth place in the season-ending tourney with a 1-2 slate.
The Bolts sparkled with big defensive stoppages, including back-to-back steals by Gary David leading to back-to-back fastbreak baskets that pushed Meralco ahead at 79-77 with time down to 2:50.
After making another stop, the Bolts went to Andre Emmett for a bank shot that stretched their lead to 81-77 – the biggest margin by any team in a tight, nip-and-tuck battle in the fourth quarter.
At 81-83, the Hotshots had their defensive gems giving them shots at tying the count.
But Joe Devance muffed a runner, Marqus Blakely flubbed a three-pointer and Marc Pingris missed a follow-up shot.
Purefoods coach Tim Cone was flabbergasted on the bench, his two hands on his head at the end of the game.
Before the game, Cone was saying: “We’re not playing with much flow or rhythm and our defense has been particularly porous.”
The Hotshots hardly improved as they went down with another loss.
With just 20 points, Blakely was already the Hotshots’ top scorer. He also collected eight rebounds and five assists but committed 10 turnovers.
Joe Devance and Alex Mallari added 15 and 13 points, respectively, while Purefoods’ Big Three of James Yap, PJ Simon and Pingris continued to struggle badly.
Emmett sizzled with 37 points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals for the Bolts.
Japanese reinforcement Seiya Ando chipped in 11 markers, three rebounds and one assist while the rest exerted tough efforts defensively. (SB)
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