Meralco import Akil Mitchell was given the daunting task of guarding the likes of San Miguel behemoth June Mar Fajardo and did more than that.
Against a visibly bigger San Miguel, there was Meralco import Akil Mitchell.
Mitchell stood his ground and the Bolts prevailed, 100-93, against the Beermen in their PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup clash at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur Saturday, Jan. 18.
He turned in 26 points and 16 rebounds for Meralco, which formalized its entry into the playoffs with its 7-3 card. He also had five assists and a steal.
The Bolts bested San Miguel in second chance points (17-3) and points in the paint (44-34) thanks in large part to Mitchell.
This despite the Beermen having eight-time Most Valuable June Mar Fajardo and new 6-10 import Malik Pope manning the paint.
Mitchell also had plenty of help, with Chris Newsome churning out 20 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal, and Chris Banchero putting up 19 points, two rebounds and two assists.
The trio led a 10-to-nothing blast that erased Meralco's 86-89 deficit, giving the squad control of the match.
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But everything just boiled down to the Bolts’ defensive effort that saw them get eight steals and force San Miguel to commit 19 turnovers.
Since Meralco rediscovered its defensive prowess, everything just clicked as it has won its last three games.
With its patented airtight defense, the Beermen could not make something happen in the final two minutes of action at the Ilocos Sur venue.
The Beermen, paced by Fajardo’s 20 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, found themselves in a worse situation after falling to a 4-5 hole.
Pope, who claimed to be the friend of former SMB import Bennie Boatwright, made his PBA debut with 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block.
The Scores:
MERALCO 100 – Mitchell 26, Newsome 20, Banchero 19, Reyson 7, Almazan 6, Cansino 6, Mendoza 4, Hodge 4, Rios 3, Torres 3, Quinto 2, Bates 0, Caram 0.
SAN MIGUEL 93 – Fajardo 20, Perez 16, Pope 14, Trollano 14, Tiongson 9, Tautuaa 8, Cruz 7, Rosales 5, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Lassiter 0.
Quarterscores: 26-18, 46-47, 80-80, 100-93.