AKIL Mitchell carried Meralco Bolts to a come-from-behind 81-80 win over Busan KCC Egis to get back on track in the East Asian Super League (EASL) Home And Away Season 2 Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena.
The 32-year-old Mitchell scored 11 of his game-high 33 points in the fourth quarter including the free throw in the final 6.4 seconds that clinched the dramatic victory for the reigning PBA Philippine Cup champion.
Mitchell added 22 rebounds, the last of which came after Busan's Heo Ung missed on a jumper, eventually leading to Leon Williams committing his fifth and final foul that sent the Meralco import on the line.
Jung Changyoung's desperation attempt from the back court fell short at the buzzer, allowing the Bolts to escape with their second win in three outings - the most by the team in the tournament.
"He's been around and he knows how to win," said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo of Mitchell, who will be the Bolts' import in the coming Commissioner's Cup.
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DJ Kennedy added 14 points, while Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto had eight each for Meralco, which trailed by as many as 63-72 with eight minutes left in the game on a tip in by Williams.
Quinto's clutch three pointer with 31 seconds left tied the game at 80-all. He was 2-of-2 from the same distance.
It was a heartbreaker of a loss for Busan, reigning Korean Basketball League (KBL) champion, which fell to a 0-2 record in Group B.
Former NBA player Deonte Burton led Busan with 26 points - including 22 in the first half - nine rebounds, and five assists, but fouled out in the final four minutes and his side leading, 75-71.
Heo, the Finals MVP in the KBL last season, added 14 points on 4-of-8 shooting from long range, Lee Geunwhi also with 14, while Williams had nine and 13 rebounds before likewise fouling out with six seconds to go. (RG)
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The scores
Meralco (81) - Mitchell 33, Kennedy 14, Newsome 8, Quinto 8, Kouame 8, Hodge 6, Banchero 4, Caram 0.
Busan KCC Egis (80) - Burton 26, Lee G 14, Heo 14, Lee S 9, Williams 9, Jung 6, Lee H 2, Yeo 0, Epistola 0.
Quarterscores: 20-26; 42-53; 63-68; 81-80.
