MERALCO got the job done yesterday but had to survive a massive barrage from an unexpected source.
Allein Maliksi continued waxing hot for the Bolts by pouring in 22 points, leading the team to a 104-101 win over gritty NLEX in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State U gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Bong Quinto also came up huge in the endgame, scoring on a semi-hook to give Meralco a 103-95 lead and then swatted the ball away to prevent NLEX from getting a last offensive try.
With their third straight win and an 8-2 record overall, the Bolts are assured of finishing the eliminations at No. 2, regardless of what happens in their battle against Ginebra today.
“This was crucial for us,” Meralco coach Norman Black said after the win that saw his team lead by as much as 20 in the third period but had to scramble in the endgame when the Road Warriors staged a mighty fightback.
“The last eight minutes wasn’t that very pretty but at this point of the season every win counts and now we can look forward to our game tomorrow against Ginebra and look forward to the playoffs,” said Black.
Spearheading NLEX’s fightback was rookie Calvin Oftana, who finished with a new career-high 34 points anchored on eight triples, the last two coming in succession and moving the Road Warriors within 101-103.
But Raymond Almazan sank the first of two charities and his miss was tapped away by Quinto, capping the pulsating finish.
NLEX dropped to 5-6, its chances of either getting sixth or being relegated to seventh and a twice-to-win handicap against Meralco in the next round now hinging on the result of the match between previous tormentor NorthPort (5-5) and Alaska today.
Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge finally saw action after missing Meralco’s last two games due to health protocols. But it was mainly about Maliksi and Co.
Maliksi, who scored 21 points in a 104-97 victory over Blackwater last Saturday, again led the way and got ample support from the likes of Alvin Pasaol, who also set a new career-high 17 points, as well as Mac Belo (16 points, seven rebounds and five assists).
Almazan had a double-double of 12 points and 11 boards while Quinto and Anjo Caram added 10 markers each.
“Tonight it’s more about the guys who have been here, guys like Allein, who stepped up and had a big game for us tonight,” said Black.
NLEX found itself down by as much as 65-85 after the likes of Kevin Alas, JR Quinahan and Jericho Cruz couldn’t get any rhythm going.
Depending on the outcome of the San Miguel Beer-Alaska match last night the Batang Pier could climb to a high of four. A loss, however, could drop coach Pido Jarencio’s charges to as low as playing off for the eighth and last spot in the quarterfinals.
Alaska can climb to seventh with a win but would be eliminated outright with a loss.
“We will not allow struggles and COVID challenges to derail us from our goal this conference,” Aces coach Jeff Cariaso said. “Character and culture-building has been the key takeaway for us so far.”
The match is actually a no-bearing for Meralco since it has been assured of taking the No. 2 ranking behind top seed TNT and the win-once advantage in the quarterfinals over the No. 7 team after beating NLEX.
