CAREER GAME FROM HUGNATAN AS MERALCO WIN DOUBLE OT THRILLER
Meralco proved to be the steadier team in the clutch as they nipped Barako Bull in double overtime, 112-108, Wednesday night in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Reynel Hugnatan went on a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line, including a pair which put the game away in the second extra period, to finish with a career-high 28 points to go with seven rebounds, while Sean Anthony just missed on a double-double with his 14 markers and nine boards.
John Wilson also chipped in 13 points, while Simon Atkins, Cliff Hodge, and John Ferriols all tallied 10 markers apiece.
“That was a well-earned victory by us today,” said debuting Meralco head coach Norman Blak. “We really had to work very hard for the win.
Meralco could not convert at the end of regulation as Gary David got snatched by Denok Miranda in the waning moments of the fourth.
Chico Lanete, meanwhile, forced a second overtime period as he knotted the score at 101 by hitting a tough floater with 0.1 of a second left to play.
But the Bolts were the ones shining in the second extra period as the trio of Hodge, Wilson, and Hugnatan capped off the game with the seasoned forward nailing the marginal free throws for the win.
“It’s a good start for us tonight. I think we played well in the second half and we played well down the stretch,” Black said.
Lanete led Barako Bull with 21 points, while JC Intal stroke hot from beyond the arc, going 4-of-6 to finish with 20 markers. (RL)
The scores:
MERALCO 112 – Hugnatan 28, Anthony 14, Wilson 13, Atkins 10, Hodge 10, Ferriols 10, Dillinger 7, David 6, Cortez 4, Sena 4, Guevarra 4, Morrison 2, Buenafe 0.
BARAKO BULL 108 – Lanete 21, Intal 20, Wilson 16, Miranda 15, Garcia 14, Lastimosa 6, Pennisi 5, Marcelo 4, Pascual 4, Fortuna 3, Salva 0, Salvador 0.
Quarterscores: 19-25, 45-54, 71-76, 90-90, 101-101, 112-108.
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