Akil Mitchell suffered a broken nose early in Meralco's faceoff with Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday, Dec. 1.
With Rain or Shine import Deon Thompson yet to get the green light to play, Meralco thought it could capitalize on his absence in hopes of staying undefeated in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday, Dec. 1.
Things did not exactly go that way.
Their duel was reduced to an all-Filipino game as Bolts reinforcement Akil Mitchell was left with a bloodied nose following an inadvertent hit from Elasto Painters big man Keith Datu in the very first play of the match.
As Mitchell soared for the hook, Datu’s left arm caught the bridge of his nose at the 11:48 mark of the game at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Courtside reporter Bea Escudero said team doctors confirmed the Meralco import consequently suffered a broken nose.
Still, the Bolts ended up outdueling Rain or Shine, 121-111, to pick up its second win in as many games in the mid-season conference.
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Bong Quinto, Meralco Bolts draw motivation from Akil Mitchell's sudden exit
Bong Quinto earns Player of the Game honors in Meralco's match against Rain or Shine in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Sunday, Dec. 1. | Photo (c) PBA
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo later said that the incident motivated them to play better for the rest of the match.
“That kind of motivated 'yung mga boys namin. It kept us sharp,” said Trillo.
Bong Quinto shared his mentor’s sentiments.
“Gusto naming maglaro especially for Akil. Sa lahat ng imports na na-experience ko, isa siya sa grabeng magtrabaho sa practice namin, grabe kami i-push,” said Quinto.
Despite his sudden absence, Mitchell still pushed the locals to step up.
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Chris Newsome finished with 25 points, five rebounds, an assist, and a block, while Quinto turned in 20 points, four rebounds, and the same number of assists.
Five other Bolts finished in double figures, with Jansen Rios rifling in 16 points and Norbert Torres and Raymond Almazan chipping in 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Cliff Hodge and Anjo Caram combined for 21 markers.
“Shoutout sa teammates naming talagang nag-step up,” said Quinto.
Meanwhile, Datu came through with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a pair of denials in almost 26 minutes of play for Rain or Shine which opened its campaign on a sour note.
Adrian Nocum had 15 points, while Santi Santillan had 14 points, seven rebounds and an assist to his name.
The Scores:
MERALCO 121 – Newsome 25, Quinto 20, Rios 16, Torres 13, Almazan 12, Hodge 11, Caram 10, Black 9, Pascual 2 , Pasaol 1, Jose 2, Mitchell 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 111 – Datu 17, Nocum 15, Santillan 14, Clarito 13, Tiongson 12, Caracut 11, Lemetti 9, Belga 6, Norwood 5, Malonzo 5, Ildefonso 2, Demusis 2.
Quarterscores: 33-25, 52-49, 89-81, 121-111