FILE–Meralco Bolts within the EASL competitors. –EASL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Meralco dimmed its possibilities of sneaking a Ultimate 4 berth within the East Asia Tremendous League after a heartbreaking 81-80 loss to the visiting Seoul SK Knights on Wednesday at Philsports Enviornment in Pasig Metropolis.
The Bolts had been a basket away from stealing a win from the visiting Korean Basketball League outfit however import Prince Ibeh couldn’t get a grip on Chris Banchero’s drop go from the baseline, leading to a turnover and a defeat of their first official residence recreation of the event.
A victory would have accomplished an enormous comeback from 9 factors down within the remaining minutes, however will drop to the underside of Group B with a 1-3 report.
Zach Lofton’s 32 factors weren’t sufficient for Meralco to keep away from falling right into a scenario the place it should win its remaining two video games in group play and hope for different groups to slide up.
Meralco’s subsequent match is on Jan. 3 in opposition to the group chief New Taipei Kings on the identical venue.
New Taipei is unbeaten after two video games whereas the Japanese membership Ryukyu Golden Kings, who Meralco beat in Macau two weeks prior, is at 2-1.
Seoul improved to 3rd at 2-2 with Jameel Warney scoring 31.
Warney’s basket made it 81-72 for the Knights with 2:40 left within the fourth, however the Bolts reeled off eight consecutive factors with Lofton making 5 of these.
His layup with 42 seconds left put the Bolts behind a degree and compelled Warney to overlook a medium-range attenpt on the following play, resulting in the ultimate seconds that surprised the house facet.
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