Meralco outlasts Blackwater in OT, hands Bossing fourth straight loss

The Meralco Bolts outlasted the Blackwater Bossing in an overtime encounter, 102-98, in the 2022 Commissioner's Cup on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The Bolts were up 89-83 with 1:27 left before Blackwater made a 6-0 run on two shots from Ato Ular and another from Mike Ayonayon with two ticks left in regulation. Meralco's Chris Banchero and Trevis Jackson made a steal and attempted a shot for a potential game-winner but did not connect, forcing the game to overtime.

The teams were tied at 96 in extra period with 1:24 left before a triple from Allein Maliksi with 28 seconds left gave them the advantage. A foul by Raymond Almazan on Ayonayon brought him to the line where he cut their deficit to two points with 22 seconds left. Charities from Aaron Black and KJ Mcdaniels sealed Meralco's third win in eight games.

Mcdaniels posted 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Black added 18 of his own. Banchero and Maliksi posted 17 and 16 points each.

Cam Krutwig had 23 points and 19 boards for Blackwater, while Ular finished with 15 points in the losing effort. Jackson and Gab Banal chipped in 14, while Ayonayon tallied 11 in the loss which put them down to 3-7 and dealt them their fourth straight loss.

Meralco will play TNT on November 16 while Blackwater will face Barangay Ginebra next on November 18.

The scores:

Meralco 102 – McDaniels 26, Black 18, Bancheo 17, Maliksi 16, Quinto 12, Pasaol 6, Caram 4, Pascual 3, Almazan 0, Hodge 0.

Blackwater 98 – Krutwig 23, Ular 15, Banal 14, Jackson 14, Ayonayon 11, Taha 8, McCarthy 7, Melton 3, Suerte 3, Dyke 0, Sena 0, Ebona 0.

Quarters: 21-15, 42-41, 67-64, 89-89, 102-98.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News