Meralco escapes Rain or Shine in Luigi Trillo's head coaching debut for Bolts

The Meralco Bolts escaped the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 107-102, to notch their first win in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This was also Luigi Trillo's debut as the new Meralco head coach.

Trailing by six with less than two minutes remaining in the game, Andrei Caracut cut the Elasto Painters' deficit to three, 105-102, with a triple at the 00:28 mark. 

After the Bolts' timeout, Santi Santillan fouled on Allein Maliksi which brought him to the line to seal the win for his squad.

Rain or Shine import Dajuan Summers tried to steal the win with his triples but failed to do so.

Suleiman Braimoh, Jr. stuffed the stat sheet with 34 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Chris Newsome led the Meralco locals with 20 points.

Summers flirted with a double-double as he posted 27 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Santillan and rookie Keith Datu added 16 points apiece.

Meralco will play Blackwater on Saturday, while Rain or Shine will face NorthPort next on Sunday.

Scores:

Meralco 107 – Braimoh 34, Newsome 20, Maliksi 16, Hodge 10, Dario 8, Almazan 6, Torres 5, Caram 3, Quinto 3, Black 2, Pasaol 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0.

Rain or Shine 102 – Summers 27, Santillan 16, Datu 16, Caracut 15, Clarito 13, Nambatac 7, Mamauyac 4, Belga 2, Norwood 1, Demusis 1, Asistio 0 , Belo 0.

Quarters: 39-30, 63-50, 77-70, 107-102.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News