Updated:2024-10-26 04:27 Views:192
FILE–e Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governors Cup. They are currently competing in the EASL Season 2. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Meralco set aside the disappointment of its playoff exit on the domestic front to take down the Macau Black Bears, 97-85, to open the East Asia Super League campaign on a high note Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bolts’ main figures led the charge in controlling most of the game and claimed a victory that came two nights after being handed a three-game sweep by Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.
Article continues after this advertisementChris Newsome, Chris Banchero, imports Allen Durham and DJ Kennedy and naturalized player Ange Kouame were instrumental for Meralco, back in the EASL for the second straight time by virtue of winning last season’s PBA Philippine Cup crown.
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It was only Meralco’s second win in the EASL, and first on home soil after last year’s lone victory against Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings was held in Macau.
Article continues after this advertisementNewsome had 18 points, three rebounds, six assists and three steals, Durham posted 17 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Kennedy tallied 17 points, nine rebounds and seven assists.
Article continues after this advertisementBanchero scored 14 and Kouame produced nine points and nine rebounds in his role as Meralco’s naturalized player for the competition.
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The opener will be the start of a lean couple of months for the Bolts, who will play two more EASL games before the PBA Commissioner’s Cup tips off later in the year.
Article continues after this advertisementChinese-Taipei naturalized player Will Artino and import Jeantal Cylla scored 23 points apiece while Damian Chongqui added 21 for Macau, a late addition to the EASL tourney after coming off a campaign in The Asian Tournament.
Meralco led for the majority of the contest, but it took until late in the third quarter to break the game wide open in its favor.
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