EASL: Meralco comeback falls short in home loss to Seoul SK

Meralco staged a fourth quarter surge but it was not enough to put the Seoul SK Knights away as the Bolts absorbed a tough 81-80 home loss in the East Asia Super League (EASL) at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Meralco could not make it back-to-back wins as it fell to a 1-3 win-loss card in Group B while the Knights bounced back to improve to an even 2-2 slate. 

After trailing for most of the first three quarters, the Bolts rallied in the fourth, outscoring the South Korean club 24 to 17 with reinforcements Zach Lofton and Prince Ibeh powering their offense.

Lofton, who is also the team's import in the ongoing PBA Commissioner's Cup, sank a triple to cut their deficit to six before Chris Newsome's three freebies pulled them to within three, 81-78, with 1:55 left in the fourth. 

Lofton then buried a crucial layup to make it a one-point ballgame then drew a foul against Choi Wonhyuk to give the possession back to the Bolts. But with 6.6 ticks left, Ibeh lost the leather after a dish from Chris Banchero, costing them the game. 

Lofton's 32-point outburst went for naught as he also grabbed seven rebounds and two assists while Ibeh chipped in 13 markers, 11 boards, one dime, and four blocks. 

Seoul SK, which is bannered by Filipino import Juan Gomez de Liaño, leaned on Jameel Warney who poured in 31 points, seven rebounds, six assists, two steals, and a block.

Meralco returns to EASL action on January 3 against New Taipei Kings at the same venue.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News