RAYMOND Almazan and KJ McDaniels provided the power source as Meralco continued its surge at the expense of TNT, 97-91, in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Almazan banged in 21 points, making 13 of them in the pivotal fourth quarter, to go with 11 rebounds and four blocks, while McDaniels dropped 26 and 15 as the Bolts racked up their third consecutive win.
Coach Norman Black's rejuvenated charges hiked their overall record to 4-5, in the process climbing to a share of seventh and eight with the Tropang Giga (also 4-5).
"This was a huge win for us 'coz getting past TNT is something you don't do every conference. So it gives us light at the end of the tunnel, that's for sure," said Meralco coach Norman Black, whose charges are making a run for the playoffs after a woeful 1-5 start with original import Johnny O'Bryant.
"We play San Miguel, Magnolia and NLEX next so we still have a tough road ahead but winning this game really helps us a great deal. We just have to keep working in practice," he added.
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Aaron Black added 17, including a clutch basket and two free throws that helped seal it in the fourth, as Bong Quinto shot 13 and Chris Banchero had 10, aside from hounding comebacking TNT gunner Mikey Williams.
Almazan and Black provided the KO blows against TNT with a 12-5 barrage in the last 4:54.
The Bolts' defense held TNT import Cam Oliver and Williams to three and five, respectively, in the final canto after getting high scores in the first half.
Oliver finished with 25 while Williams tallied 20 in his first game back from a team-imposed suspension that led to a two-game sitout.
"One important thing that's happened since KJ's arrival is the fact we're playing much better defense," said Black. "We're back to being our defensive selves again and that's what it's gonna take for us to make the playoffs." (OL)
The Scores:
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Meralco 97 - McDaniels 26, Almazan 21, Black 17, Quinto 13, Banchero 10, Maliksi 9, Pascual 1, Jose 0, Pasaol 0, Caram 0, Hodge 0.
TNT 91 - Oliver 25, M.Williams 20, Castro 19, Erram 10, Oftana 6, K.Williams 5, Pogoy 4, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Quarters: 21-23, 49-54, 73-74, 97-91.
