Allen Durham put his foot on the gas pedal as Meralco completed the come-from-behind 114-109 overtime victory over Ginebra for a 1-0 lead in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts import atoned for his miscues at the end of regulation and scored their first seven points in OT to give the Bolts a 109-102 lead en route to the franchise’s first ever victory in a Finals game.
Durham finished with 46 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and a steal in the win.
Game 2 is on Sunday, still at the Big Dome.
Alapag buried the huge three from the left wing to push the Bolts up, 101-100, in the final 33.4 in regulation before Justin Brownlee muffed a quick three in the ensuing possession for the Kings.
Ginebra got the break it needed after Reynel Hugnatan was whistled with a charge with 22.6 seconds left, but Brownlee and Scottie Thompson could not convert on their tries.
Durham split his freebies with 6.8 ticks to go, but Tenorio managed to break away and score the game-tying floater to send the game into OT with 2.1 to go. Durham’s desperation three rattled out as time expired.
Game 2 is on Sunday, still at the Big Dome.
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