Meralco Bolts’ Shonn Miller in his PBA debut. –PBA IMAGES
New import Shonn Miller supplied the within presence anticipated from him as Meralco downed Magnolia, 85-80, Saturday to solidify its probabilities of gaining the twice-to-beat benefit within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup in Iloilo Metropolis.
Miller had 33 factors and 22 rebounds after changing Zach Lofton because the Bolts moved as much as a share of second place with the idle Phoenix Gasoline Masters at 7-2 earlier than a packed crowd at College of San Agustin Health club.
Chris Newsome and hometown child Anjo Caram additionally keyed Meralco’s huge separation within the fourth earlier than Miller helped foil a late meltdown to disclaim Magnolia the outright prime seed within the quarterfinals.
Magnolia ended the eliminations at 9-2 however is already assured of a twice-to-beat bonus. The Hotshots may find yourself a minimum of the No. 2 seed within the playoffs relying on the result of the remaining video games.
The victory additionally snapped a poor run of kind the Bolts endured earlier than and after the revelry of Christmas and New Yr the place they dropped three straight together with two house defeats within the East Asia Tremendous League.
Meralco obtained the larger reinforcement it had been wanting since Su Braimoh went down early within the convention with an harm and the shorter Lofton having to refill the void for 3 video games in Miller, who’s listed at 6-foot-7.
Newsome and Caram backstopped Miller by making key pictures that put Meralco forward 73-61 midway within the fourth, earlier than Magnolia made its run within the latter a part of the grindout affair.
Magnolia obtained to inside a degree twice, the primary at 77-76, however Miller’s putback and Cliff Hodge’s basket gave Meralco some cushion.
The Hotshots scored 4 in a row to threaten anew and had an opportunity to tie the sport after two Newsome free throws made it 83-80. Aris Dionisio, nevertheless, couldn’t join on a 3 and Newsome iced the sport with two extra charities.
The scores:
MERALCO 85—Miller 33, Newsome 17, Quinto 8, Caram 6, Maliksi 5, Banchero 3, Hodge 3, Rios 2, Bates 2, Black 2, Almazan 2.
MAGNOLIA 80—Bey 23, Barroca 18, Abueva 10, Jalalon 8, Eriobu 5, Lee 4, Sangalang 4, Dela Rosa 3, Mendoza 3, Laput 2, Tratter 0, Dionisio 0.
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Quarters: 20-16, 35-37, 57-58, 85-80.