MANILA – Meralco Bolts got its game going in the second half to score a 116-103 victory over Columbian Dyip in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Arinze Onuaku made a triumphant return in the league with 30 points, 19 rebounds, six assists and four blocks while Chris Newsome added 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Bolts (1-0).
In the second game, Phoenix Fuel Masters squandered a lead as high as 22 points before pulling off a 107-102 victory over Blackwater Elite to kick off its campaign on the winning note.
After being down by as much as 10 points midway in the second period, the Bolts made a run behind Onuaku to come to within 56-57 at the half.
The Bolts turned to its outside shooting in the third period to finally snatch the lead at 85-79.
The Dyip was able to come to within 83-87 but consecutive three-point shots by Rommel Nino Canaleta handed the Bolts its largest lead of the game at 112-98 on two inside hits by Newsome.
“Hats off to Arinze, he’s been sick. I was happy with his performance. He gives us what we lacked,” said Bolts head coach Norman Black. “The other guys also stepped up particularly (Canaleta), so it’s a great start for us.”
Charles Aiken led the way with double-double 21 points and 18 rebounds while Rashawn McCarthy and Carlo Lastimosa added 16 markers apiece for the Dyip which dropped to 1-1.
The Fuel Masters waxed hot early on the offensive end in the second game and went up by as much as 22 points but the Elite started its run in the second half to pull to within single digits.
The game was tied at 98-all following back-to-back treys by Elite’s Rey Mark Belo but the Fuel Masters turned on clutch hits by James White, William Wilson and Matthew Wright to escape with the win.
White led the way with 31 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and five blocks. Wright added 19 markers while Bacolodnon Justin Chua came up with career-high 17 points to go along with nine rebounds for the Fuel Masters./PN
