MANILA — Meralco Bolts withstood a furious fourth-quarter comeback by TNT Tropang 5G to secure a tense 110-106 victory and strengthen their hold in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Bolts looked headed for a comfortable win after building a commanding 20-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but TNT staged a dramatic rally behind clutch baskets and tightened defense to threaten a stunning turnaround.
The Tropang 5G cut the deficit to just two points, 105-107, after Rey Nambatac sank a pair of free throws, putting Meralco on the brink in the final minutes.
TNT had a chance to tie the game in the closing stretch, but a costly passing turnover by import Bol Bol proved decisive. Meralco capitalized as Chris Newsome and Marvin Jones calmly knocked down the game-clinching free throws to seal the win.
Jones powered the Bolts with a dominant double-double of 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Crispin John Cansino added 19 markers. Raymond Almazan and Clifford Hodge chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively, as Meralco improved to a 4-1 record.
Bol Bol led TNT with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Jordan Heading contributed 21 points and Calvin Oftana added 10. The Tropang 5G fell to 2-2 despite their late-game surge.
In the earlier game, Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots notched back-to-back wins after pulling away from Terrafirma Dyip, 85-70.
Clinton Chapman delivered a double-double performance of 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Zavier Lucero and Rome dela Rosa added 13 and 11 points, respectively, as Magnolia improved to 2-3.
The Hotshots trailed 55-51 late in the third quarter before unleashing a decisive run behind Paul Lee, Raffy Verano, and Ian Sangalang to grab a 62-56 advantage heading into the fourth.
Magnolia sustained its momentum in the final period, dictating the tempo and stretching the lead to as many as 17 points to secure the victory.
Jerrick Ahanmisi paced Terrafirma with 21 points, while Ali Mubashar added 18. Maverick Ahanmisi and Joseph Eriobu chipped in 11 points each as the Dyip dropped to 3-2 following their second straight loss./PN
