Game recap (adapted from Interkasyon):
MERALCO BOLTS over SAN MIGUEL BEERMEN, 106-95 (OT)
Box scores.
Meralco import Andre Emmett missed a shot that could have ended it regulation, but he made sure that it wouldn’t come to that in the extra period as he led the Bolts to a 106-95 overtime win over San Miguel on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Emmett scored eight of the team’s points as they outscored the Beermen, 15-4, in extra time.
He finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists to lead Meralco, while Gary David added 23 off the bench.
The Bolts trailed almost the entire fourth quarter. They trailed by seven points early in the fourth and were only able to tie the game a little past the last two-minute mark at 89-all.
Reigning PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo put the Beermen on a follow-up but Emmett found Cliff Hodge for a basket to force another deadlock, 91-all, with 20 seconds remaining.
Meralco dominated the overtime period, though, stretching the margin to double-figures before the end.
San Miguel was led by Fajardo, who had 22 points and 16 rebounds.
Line of the Game: Andre Emmett (MER) - 31pts, 11rebs, 5asts, 2stls, 1blk.
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| Gary David unloaded a big game as Meralco survived SMB in OT. |
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| Andre Emmett put up big numbers again, but this time Meralco pulled out a win. |
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| June Mar Fajardo collars the rebound against James Sena. |
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| Norman Black succeeded in helping his team bounce back after losing their first assignment. |
PUREFOODS STAR HOTSHOTS over NLEX ROAD WARRIORS, 89-85
Box scores.
The Purefoods Star Hotshots banked on their defense early before weathering a late barrage of three-pointers from NLEX with free throws as they escaped with an 89-85 victory in its conference opener on Saturday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
Marqus Blakely was ‘Mr. Everything’ for Purefoods Star in this one, finishing with 29 points and 18 rebounds. He also had 7 steals and 5 blocks to set the tone for the Hotshots defensively.
The defense was impressive up until the final minute, holding NLEX to just 71 points with about 40 seconds remaining.
But the Road Warriors went 4-for-4 on three-pointers in the last 36 seconds in a last-ditch attempt to get back in the game, and the Hotshots made all eight of their free throw attempts in that span to come away with the victory.
Alex Mallari was the only other Hotshot in double-figures with 15 points. Mark Barroca finished with 9 points, while Marc Pingris had 8 points and 9 boards – six of them on the offensive glass.
Kwame Alexander had 25 points and 26 rebounds to lead NLEX. Jonas Villanueva finished with 14 points – including a halfcourt heave to beat the third quarter buzzer – and 7 assists.
Asian import Michel Madanly finished with just eight points on 2-for-11 shooting from the field and 1-for-8 from three. He injured his neck in the team’s previous game and returned for this one but seemed to hurt himself again in the second period.
Line of the Game: Marqus Blakely (PUR) - 29pts, 18rebs, 7stls, 5blks, 1ast, 11/19 FGs.
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| Marqus Blakely put up "Mr. Everything" numbers as the Hotshots won their opening game of the tourney. |
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| James Yap tests the defense of old rival Mac Cardona. |
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| Syrian import Michel Madanly was still hurting from an injury he suffered in the team's previous game. |
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