Hotshots fall to Bolts in Season 49 opener
Despite being short-handed in preparation and personnel, the Meralco Bolts made a resounding statement with a triumphant start to the new PBA season.
Chris Banchero etched his name in history with the league’s first-ever four-point shot in the second quarter, while Allen Durham marked his PBA return with a pivotal explosion in the second half, leading the Bolts to a 99-94 thrashing of the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Season 49 opener at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
Durham went on a tear in the final half, scoring 16 of his 19 points and hauling down 16 rebounds to secure a double-double, propelling a Meralco team missing injury-hit players Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan.
Trillo praised his veterans for doing a stellar job in helping Durham stay fresh, and by the second half, Durham was unstoppable, leading the Bolts to victory.
The team’s transition game from their championship run in the last Philippine Cup was seamless, with Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Bong Quinto, and Brandon Bates delivering solid performances.
Young gun Jolo Mendoza also made a significant impact, hitting all three of his three-point attempts to help the Bolts secure the win against a Magnolia side fueled by highly touted import Glenn Robinson III.
The one-time NBA Slam Dunk King put up a game-high 29 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but his impressive effort was for naught as he missed a four-point attempt with the Hotshots trailing 94-97 in the closing seconds.
Durham sealed the deal with two free throws with 2.6 seconds left, securing the Bolts’ victory.
Banchero finished with 14 points, while Newsome and Mendoza chipped in 13 apiece. Hodge added 12 points and nine rebounds to the winning effort.
The scores:
Meralco 99 – Durham 20, Banchero 14, Newsome 13, Mendoza 13, Hodge 12, Quinto 9, Black 6, Rios 3, Pasaol 3, Cansino 2, Bates 2, Pascual 2, Caram 0, Torres 0.
Magnolia 94 – Robinson III 29, Sangalang 17, Lee 14, Barroca 9, Lucero 7, Ahanmisi 6, Dela Rosa 5, Laput 4, Mendoza 3, Abueva 0, Dionisio 0, Escoto 0.
Quarterscores: 16-12, 43-39, 74-63, 99-94.
