ENGAGED in a tight, see-sawing battle, Meralco was in dire need of somebody who could help Allen Durham out and give the team that much-needed power boost.
Good thing Mike Tolomia and Chris Newsome were there.
Tolomia came off the bench to scatter 12 of his 17 points in the second half and Newsome scored half of his 12 points in the fourth period to help the Bolts notch a 91-82 win over Rain or Shine Sunday in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Durham put in his usual workman-like, all-around effort with 19 points, 20 rebounds and six assists but the support provided by the locals during a decisive fourth quarter breakaway proved crucial in Meralco's follow-up to its earlier victories over NLEX and Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok.
Now with a 4-6 slate, the Bolts could even force at least a tie for one of the eight quarterfinals slots should they win in their last elimination round assignment against San Miguel Beer on Nov. 3.
Sponsored content:
Obviously, Black was pleased, especially with the way his team continues to play lock-down defense.
"I think it's been nine quarters of solid defense on our part, starting with the last quarter of the NLEX game, then the Magnolia game and then tonight," said Black.
"Everybody was operating as a team, rotating in closing out, challenging their shooters. We made some mistakes, but overall it's been pretty good," added Black.
"On the other end, we had good balanced scoring tonight. A lot of guys contributing so Durham did not have to dominate the game offensively when the other guys stepped up and really helped.
Still, it was Durham who spearheaded Meralco's 16-3 surge from the 15th and last deadlock at 74-all with seven of his points while the likes of Tolomia, Newsome and Cliff Hodge helped out.
Sponsored content:
Rain or Shine simply could not keep up and thus dropped its second straight game for a 2-6 record.
The Elasto Painters could still make it to the next round or at least tie for eighth, but they must now win all their remaining games, against Phoenix on Wednesday and SMB and NLEX over the next two Saturdays.
Norbert Torres and Rey Nambatac did their best to help Terrence Watson lead Rain or Shine into a bounce-back from an 84-100 upset loss to Columbian last Friday, but their efforts went for naught.
Torres led the E-Painters with 16 points and Nambatac also came off the bench for 13 to backstop Watson's 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The likes of Maverick Ahanmisi and James Yap could only account for seven points apiece as they all failed to make up for the absence of the injured Beau Belga and absentee Raymund Almazan. Chris Tiu even went scoreless. (NC)
The scores:
Meralco 91 - Durham 19, Tolomia 17, Hodge 14, Newsome 12, Caram 11, Hugnatan 10, Salva 4, Amer 2, Jamito 2, Ballesteros 0.
Rain or Shine 82 - Torres 16, Watson 14, Nambatac 13, Daquioag 10, Ponferada 7, Ahanmisi 7, Yap 7, Norwood 6, Borboran 2.
Quarters: 19-19, 44-43, 65-65, 91-82.
