MANILA, Philippines – Akil Mitchell delivered a last-second game-winner to lift Meralco to a come-from-behind 111-109 victory over Phoenix in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, November 29.
Churning out 27 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 steals in his PBA debut, Mitchell drained a one-handed shot with 1.3 ticks left as the Bolts won their first game despite a lackluster first half that saw them trail by as many as 23 points.
Known for its stifling defense, Meralco struggled to contain the hot-starting Fuel Masters, who mounted a commanding 73-54 halftime lead.
But the Bolts found their defensive groove in the second half, holding their opponents to just 18 points in each of the last two quarters to keep Phoenix winless.
Chris Newsome backstopped Mitchell with 23 points and 6 assists, while Aaron Black put up 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists in his PBA return after a knee injury caused him to play just two games in the Governors’ Cup.
“We were kind of ashamed of the way we played in the first half. We’re not that kind of team,” said Black. “We really wanted to come out in the second half and prove that we can get this game and we can come back.”
The Fuel Masters came out with guns blazing as they shot a sizzling 60.5% in the first half, with their lead peaking at 71-48 thanks to import Donovan Smith, Ricci Rivero, Kai Ballungay, and Tyler Tio all scoring in double figures.
But Phoenix fizzled out — its lead chopped to just 13 points at the end of the third quarter, 91-78, before Meralco finally seized the upper hand at 106-105 off a Bong Quinto three-pointer with 2:10 minutes remaining.
The Fuel Masters knotted the score at 109-109 after Tio drained a jumper and Smith scored on a layup in back-to-back possessions only to see Mitchell break the deadlock for the win.
Quinto finished with 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, Anjo Caram added 10 points, while Cliff Hodge chimed in 7 points and 7 rebounds for the Bolts.
Smith posted a game-high 33 points with 9 rebounds and 2 blocks in the loss that dropped the Fuel Masters to 0-2.
Ballungay had 18 points and 7 rebounds, Tio tallied 17 points, 8 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Rivero netted 14 points and 5 assists.
Meralco 111 – Mitchell 27, Newsome 23, Black 15, Quinto 14, Caram 10, Rios 8, Hodge 7, Jose 5, Almazan 2, Pasaol 0.
Phoenix 109 – Smith 33, Ballungay 18, Tio 17, Rivero 14, Alejandro 6, Perkins 6, Jazul 6, Manganti 4, Tuffin 3, Verano 2, Ular 0.
Quarters: 25-36, 54-73, 78-91, 111-109.
– Rappler.com
