Meralco blew an early 14-point lead but hung tough for the win against Rain or Shine in overtime.
Bong Quinto scored seven points in the extra period as Meralco turned back Rain or Shine, 121-117, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Saturday, March 1.
The former Letran Knight finished with 16 points, including 11 in the final 17 minutes of action, five rebounds, and six assists as the Bolts improved to 1-1.
His free throws with still 3:25 gave the Bolts a 109-104 lead before Allein Maliksi helped put the finishing touches to the Bolts’ first victory in the All-Filipino Conference.
It didn’t come easy, though.
Adrian Nocum single-handedly carried the Elasto Painters on his young shoulders in the extra period. He dropped 13 of his 28 points in the final five minutes, the last of which was a three-point play that got his team to within three, 120-117 with 14 ticks to go.
But time just wasn’t on Rain or Shine’s side as Maliksi split his shots from the foul line to shut the door on the gritty Elasto Painters.
Maliksi followed up a 27-point outing in the loss to Blackwater in the opener with 26 points built on three triples, to go with seven rebounds against the Elasto Painters.
Cliff Hodge, Chris Newsome, and Norbert Torres also came through with 16 points apiece for the Bolts, who saw a 14-point lead in the second period disappear into thin air in the ensuing quarters.
Meanwhile, Santi Santillan also had a big game for Rain or Shine with 25 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, but hardly made a difference in overtime.
Gian Mamuyac added 15 markers for the Elasto Painters, who drop to 0-2.
The Scores:
MERALCO 121 – Maliksi 26, Newsome 16, Quinto 16, Torres 16, Hodge 16, Caram 13, Black 6, Pascual 5, Mendoza 4, Rios 2, Pasaol 1, Banchero 0, Jose 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 117 – Nocum 29, Santillan 25, Mamuyac 15, Belga 9, Datu 9, Clarito 9, Caracut 8, Norwood 6, Belo 3, Borboran 2, Demusis 2, Ildefonso 0.
Quarterscores: 28-20, 49-42, 80-77, 102-102, 121-117