PBA PHOTO
Things just got darker for San Miguel as Meralco took out their power, 106-95, handing them their second straight loss in the PBA Governor’s Cup on Saturday afternoon at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Meralco owned the overtime period allowing the Beermen only four points, while they went to score 15 on their own to notch a 1-1 win-loss record.
Bolts import Andre Emmett went off in the extra period as he dictated the Meralco offense scoring eight points.
Emmett put the dagger on the fragile hearts of the Beermen as he spun away from Arwind Santos and put June Mar Fajardo to school for his layup that put Meralco up 104-93 at 59.9 mark of overtime.
Bolts head coach Norman Black said everything had to start on defense for them to be successful.
“If we’re going to win, we gotta play defense,” Black said.
He acknowledged that they had to complement the scoring of Emmett with team defense in future games.
“We have to be sound as defense is concerned.”
San Miguel had a 40-29 lead in the second quarter but the Bolts went on a frenzy and took a 41-40 lead courtesy of a 12-0 zap.
June Mar Fajardo gave the Beermen a five-point lead, 89-84, with 3:04 remaining in the fourth but Mike Cortez tied it up at 89-89 with less than two minutes remaining with five unanswered points.
Fajardo gave San Miguel a two-point bubble, 91-89, with 1:27 left in the fourth but Cliff Hodge tied it at 91-91 with a layup at the 26.9 mark.
San Miguel had the chance to win the game but they squandered their 24-second shot clock in their final possession.
Black added Emmett was not Meralco’s only offensive threat as he “explained” to his import that Gary David should be included in the offense for them to win games.
“I thought Andre did a good job facilitating even if it did not result in assists. It was a hockey pass most of the time,” Black said. “It was a good job involving Gary in the offense today.”
“I actually explained to Andre that for us to be successful he won’t have to do it himself, he’s gotta utilize Gary to the best of abilities.”
Staying true to their coach’s advise, Emmett and David carried the offensive load for Meralco.
Emmett finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds while David had 23 points.
Rey Guevarra was a spark off the bench with 11 points while Reynel Hugnatan and Hodge each had 10.
Fajardo led San Miguel with 22 points and 16 rebounds while Arwind Santos added 14 points.
The scores:
Meralco 106—Emmett 31, David 23, Guevarra 11, Hodge 10, Hugnatan 10, Cortez 8, Atkins 5, Wilson 2, Anthony 2, Sena 2, Caram 2
San Miguel 95—Fajardo 22, Santos 14, Lassiter 13, Reid 13, Cabagnot 9, Tubid 8, Espinas 6, Lutz 5, Ross 5, Omolon 0
Quarters: 22-26; 41-42; 68-72; 91-91; 106-95