Meralco scored the first four-point shot in PBA history and went on to beat Magnolia for its first win in the Governors' Cup.
Meralco scored the first-ever four-point shot and went on to outlast Magnolia, 99-94, to notch an opening game victory in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Aug. 18.
Chris Banchero knocked in the maiden four-point field goal early in the second period while teammate Jolo Mendoza joined in as he banked his own towards the end of the frame.
[RELATED STORY: FOR FOUR! Chris Banchero makes first official 4-point shot in PBA history]
But the thrill of making the league's newest shot was matched by an exhilarating finish in the lone game of the night.
[ALSO READ: 'Always good to be in record books': Chris Banchero relishes historic first-ever PBA 4-pointer in Meralco win]
The Bolts nearly blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead but hung tough down the stretch, leaning on the steady hands of returning import Allen Durham at the charity stripe to seal the win.
Three-time Best Import Durham led Meralco with 20 points and 16 rebounds, Chris Banchero finished with 14 points while Chris Newsome and Jolo Mendoza turned in 13 points apiece.
The Hotshots chipped away at the double-digit gap, with reinforcement Glen Robinson III's corner trey bringing the squad to within just two, 94-96, with 19.2 ticks to go.
Newsome then split his freebies, 97-94, fanning Magnolia's hopes in either sealing the win or sending the game into overtime.
But Robinson III missed his own attempt at the four-point line in the ensuing play, and Durham iced the victory with his pair of charities with 2.6 ticks left.
Robinson paced Magnolia with 29 points and 11 rebounds, while Ian Sangalang added 17 points and six rebounds.
Paul Lee accounted for one four-point shot for the Hotshots nearly three minutes into the final quarter and wound up with 14 points.
Earlier in the afternoon, the day's festivities were ushered in by the Leo Awards where the best individual performers for the past season was recognized, led by eight-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo.
[RELATED STORY: 'Still the same June Mar': Former UC official shares what makes PBA 8-time MVP Fajardo special]
The league also later honored the country's Paris 2024 Olympians on centercourt, with bronze medalist boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, gymnast and Meralco muse Aleah Finnegan, rower Joanie Delgaco, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe and hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang Tolentino present.
Song and dance numbers by the players spiced up the season opener that also featured the traditional presentation of muses led by athletes Finnegan, Jema Galanza and Jamie Lim.
The Scores:
MERALCO 99 – Durham 20, Bancheroo 14, Newsome 13, Mendoza 13, Hodge 12, Quinto 9, Black 6, Rios 3, Pasaol 3, Cansino 2, Bates 2, Pascual 2, Caram 0, Torres 0
MAGNOLIA 94 – Robinson 29, Sangalang 17, Lee 14, Barroca 9, Lucero 7, Ahanmisi 6, Delka Rosa 5, Laput 4, Mendoza 3, Abueva 0, Dionisio 0, Escoto 0