PBA: Macapagal hits 22 but Dillinger goes down in Meralco's win against NLEX

Mark Macapagal had 22 points in 19 minutes off the bench, hitting five three pointers to lead the Meralco Bolts to a 97-82 win against the NLEX Road Warrios in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals matchup.

"Much better effort from us as much as our teamwork is concerned," said Meralco coach Norman Black. "Much better at sharing the basketball. Our offense has really let us down. Hopefully, we can build on this."

Macapagal led a total of six Bolts in double figures, accounting for the team's 85 points.

The win was shadowed by Jared Dillinger's injury, though. The guard went down after a collision with NLEX import Al Thornton, never to return to the game.

"Jared doesn't look good," Black confirmed. "What the trainor told me it's something that would take him out the rest of the conference."

Josh Davis led Meralco starters with 16 points and 21 rebounds, while Gary David had 13. Mike Cortez and Reynel Hugnatan posted 10 each, while Sean Anthony chipped in 14 off the bench.

The Bolts started the game hot, hitting 34 points while limiting NLEX to just 19. They held on to an eight-point lead heading into the final frame, before scoring 28 to the Road Warriors' 21 to cruise to victory.

Al Thornton had 23 points and 11 rebounds for NLEX, but the import accounted for six turnovers. Jonas Villanueva was the only other starter in double figures with 13, while the rest combined for just nine. Mark Cardona was the only other bright spot for NLEX, scoring 17 points with five boards. - GMA News

The scores:

MERALCO 97 - Macapagal 22, Davis 16, Anthony 14, David 13, Cortez 10, Hugnatan 10, Hodge 7, Reyes 2, Ildefonso 2, Wilson 1, Caram 0, Dillinger 0, Ferriols 0.

NLEX 82 - Thornton 23, Cardona 17, Villanueva J. 13, Canaleta 8, Villanueva E. 6, Taulava 5, Ramos 4, Raymundo 2, Lingganay 2, Baloria 2, Borboran 0, Apinan 0, Arboleda H. 0.

Quarters: 34-19, 47-36, 69-61, 97-82