PBA: Meralco survives late NorthPort rally for third win

The Meralco Bolts survived a late rally from the NorthPort Batang Pier, 109-99, on Sunday for their third win in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Meralco led by as much as 24 points, 90-66, at the end of the third period before NorthPort almost closed the gap as the Batang Pier trailed within nine, 108-99, after a John Amores four-pointer at the 1:01 mark of the fourth quarter.

However, Allen Durham sealed the deal with his split near the endgame. 

Durham was an assist shy of a triple-double as he registered 34 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists, while Chris Banchero and Bong Quinto had 23 and 18 points, respectively.

Meralco was undermanned on Sunday's game as it missed the services of Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan, while Norbert Torres is down with dengue.

Arvin Tolentino, meanwhile, had 21 points, seven rebounds, three steals, an assist, and a block, while Will Navarro had 18 points, 13 of which were made in the fourth period.

Meralco improved to 3-1, while NorthPort slipped to 2-2.

Scores:

Meralco 109 – Durham 34, Banchero 24, 23, Quinto 18, Caram 10, Newsome 8, Pasucal 6, Cansino 6, Rios 2, Mendoza 2, Bates 0, Hodge 0, Pasaol 0.

NorthPort 99 – Tolentino 21, Navarro 18, Munzon 16, Flores 8, Bulanadi 7, Jois 6, Amores 6, Cuntapay 6, Jalalon 5, Nelle 3, Yu 3, Tratter 0, Onwubere 0.

Quarters: 22-28, 52-49, 90-66, 109-99.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News