Meralco forces knockout game vs San Miguel Beer

Meralco forced a do-or-die decider against San Miguel Beer after taking a 78-71 victory in the first day of the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Friday.

Reynel Hugnatan led the Bolts with 16 points, while Aaron Black tossed in 14 markers fend off the defending champions.

Moala Tautuaa finished with 14 points for the Beermen and Marcio Lassiter added 12, but SMB could not get out of the 16-point hole they were buried in with 3:38 left in the second quarter.

San Miguel played without team captain Alex Cabagnot, who missed the game due to a hamstring strain.

The two teams will play again on Sunday to determine who will advance to the semifinals.

Box score:

Meralco — Hugnatan 16, Black 14, Amer 12, Newsome 11, Quinto 9, Hodge 6, Faundo 4, Maliksi 4, Jamito 2, Jackson 0, Almazan 0.

San Miguel Beer — Tautuaa 14, Lassiter 12, Ross 10, Escoto 10, Zamar 8, Santos 8, Alolino 6, Gamalinda 2, Mamaril 1, Pessumal 0, Comboy 0.

—MGP, GMA News