FOR the second straight game Meralco was able to make the right plays at the right time, enabling it to squeak past Blackwater, 91-84, Saturday and emerge as early leader in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Suleiman Braimoh continued his sterling start to the tournament by notching game highs of 40 points and 16 rebounds and again leading a crucial surge at the crunch that enabled the Bolts to fashion a win eerily similar to their 107-102 opening decision over Rain or Shine last Wednesday.
Briamoh, who debuted in the league with a 34-point, 14-rebound performance, cited his teammates for enabling him to come up with his numbers. "Just credit to my teammates. They found me in good spots, they trusted me and I'm just happy that I was able to make shots today," he said.
"But overall, I think it was a good team effort. We played hard, we fought down to the end," the Nigerian added. "Blackwater, they made it a game. We got some key rebounds, some key stops and I'm happy we got the win."
Case in point was after the Bossing, who trailed by as many as 14 points, closed to within 80-85 with still 3:54 left. But they would experience another scoring drought exacerbated when Chris Ortiz drove into traffic and lost the ball which Braimoh translated into a two-handed dunk on the other end.
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Baskets by Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto against a lone charity by Troy Rosario practically sealed the deal inside the final 35 seconds.
Obviously pleased after surviving yet another close game was Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. "First of all, Blackwater is playing very well. They may not be as deep as other teams but they play very well as a team," he stated.
"We knew we'll have our hands full because of (Blackwater import Chris) Ortiz because I thought in that first game he played very well. We showed him different types of defense, tried to slow him down, get our matchups well," Trillo also said.
Ortiz still finished with 29 points, six rebounds and four steals but the lack of ample local support and a sour touch from the outside clearly told on the Bossing's bid to follow up their 103-84 conquest of Converge earlier last Wednesday.
Rey Suerte was the lone other Blackwater player in double figures with 10 and the Bossing managed to make only five out of 29 heaves from beyond the arc.
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Meralco, which lost Allein Maliksi to a fractured nose early in the second period, did not fare much better with Cliff Hodge notching nine points and 13 rebounds and Bong Quinto also falling a point shy of double digits. (NC)
The Scores:
Meralco 91 - Braimoh 40, Hodge 9, Quinto 9, Dario 8, Black 7, Newsome 5, Maliksi 4, Caram 3, Almazan 2, Rios 2, Bates 0, Pasaol 0.
Blackwater 84 - Ortiz 29, Suerte 10, Ayonayon 9, Banal 8, Hill 8, Casio 6, David 5, Rosario 5, Ilagan 2, Guinto 1, DiGregorio 0, McCarthy 0, Escoto 0.
Quarters: 28-25, 47-42, 70-64, 91-84
