Daquioag stars as Meralco reasserts mastery over TNT
The Meralco Bolts during their game against TNT KaTropa, Friday, Dec. 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. | PBA Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines — The Meralco Bolts zapped the TNT KaTropa, 98-87, to improve their standing in the PBA’s Philippine Cup in the nightcap of Friday's action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rookie Ed Daquioag emptied 18 of his 23 points in the second half to help the Bolts triumph over their sister team KaTropa.
“First I just like to applaud my players for their defensive effort today. I thought it’s extraordinary and exceptional the way they played defense,” head coach Norman Black said.
“We came up with different defensive schemes to try and slow down Jayson (Castro) and Ranidel (de Ocampo). I’m sure we didn’t slow them down but we did enough to win the basketball game,” he added.
The Bolts, who have improved to 2-1 in the conference, scored 23 points off the KaTropa’s turnovers.
Rabeh Al-Hussaini added 14 points for Meralco. Reynel Hugnatan and Chris Newsome combined for 22 markers as Kelly Nabong chimed in 10 more.
TNT’s Castro finished the game with 23 points. Journeyman Kelly Williams showed he still got a scoring groove after tallying 19.
The KaTropa also drew production from freshman Roger Pogoy and vetran Ryan Reyes, but it wasn’t enough to make up for Daquioag's sweet shooting.
“We had a very balanced attack today. A lot of people contributed but once again, Ed Daquioag really stepped up quickly in the final period,” Black said of his ward. “He’s a rookie but he doesn’t play like a rookie."
TNT has dropped to 2-2.
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