Bolts storm back, steal Game 1 from Hotshots
Meralco Bolts Jared Dillinger (left) in the opener of their semifinal series with Star Hotshots in Laguna, Sunday night. The Bolts prevailed in a thriller 72-66. | PBA Images
MANILA, Philippines — Meralco scored another come-from-behind win over their foes, this time for bigger stakes.
The Bolts made up for a sorry 7-21 first quarter finish and pulled the rug from under the Star Hotshots, 72-66, to draw first blood in their PBA Governors' Cup semifinal series at the Alonte Sports Arena in Laguna, Sunday night.
Meralco scored 17 unanswered points with 5:26 left in the payoff period to turn back the fiery Hotshots.
Jared Dillinger was at the forefront of that gritty stand, scoring a triple to cut Star’s lead to just six and then another to tie the game at 66.
Former Best Import Allen Durham scored against his counterpart Kris Acox with a jumpshot to give the Bolts a 70-66 edge, and Garvo Lanete iced the game with his charities.
Dilinger finished the affair as the Best Player with 15 points, five dimes, three boards and a steal. Durham had the team-best 23 points while sophomore sensation Baser Amer chimed in 10.
Jio Jalalon led the Hotshots in scoring with 15. Paul Lee and Mark Barroca added 11 each.
This is the second straight comeback win by Meralco. On the verge of being eliminated in the quarterfinals and wasting their twice-to-beat edge last week, they beat the Blackwater Elite.
Meralco and Star duke it out again in Game Two on Tuesday in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
The Scores:
MERALCO 72 - Durham 23, Dillinger 15, Amer 10, Newsome 7, De Ocampo 5, Hodge 5, Lanete 4, Hugnatan 3, Caram 0, Nabong 0, Tolomia 0.
STAR 66 - Jalalon 15, Barroca 11, Lee 11, Sangalang 9, Acox 7, Simon 6, Pingris 4, Brondial 2, Reavis 1, Dela Rosa 0, Melton 0, Ramos 0.
Quarters: 7-21, 32-36, 47-53, 72-66.
- Latest
- Trending
