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BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday, June 9, 2017
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MANILA – Meralco Bolts recovered from an endgame meltdown to score 103-100 against TNT Katropa during overtime of Game 2 of the 2017 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-three quarterfinals.
“We played much, much better tonight than last time,” said Bolts head coach Norman Black. “We will need another effort like this to have a chance to make the semifinals.”
Baser Amer led the way with career-high 32 points, including two crucial baskets in the extension period, for Meralco, which forced a do-or-die Game 3 tonight after tying the series at 1-1 after the Wednesday night match at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
“I expect Friday to be a dogfight, and I hope our guys come out like they did,” said Black.
Clifford Hodge and Kelly Nabong added 15 points apiece, while Chris Newsome and Jared Dillinger contributed 12 points each during a foul-plagued game no thanks to import Alex Stepheson.
Bolts was up by as much as 19 points and 11 in the final five minutes of the game at 92-81 when it allowed Katropa to score 11 straight points, including a split from the line by Joshua Smith, and force an overtime.
Amer and Nabong connived with consecutive baskets in the extension period as Bolts turned a 93-92 deficit to a 101-97 advantage after a conversion by Newsome.
Katropa responded with a three-pointer from Ryan Garcia to cut the deficit to 101-100 with three seconds remaining in the game. Nabong then canned two free throws to increase Bolts’ lead to 103-100.
Smith finished with double-double 18 points and 18 rebounds, while Kelly Williams and Garcia added 16 and 14 points, respectively, for Katropa, which hopes to regain the Commissioner’s Cup crown it failed to defend last year./PN
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