Bolts fend off Aces’ late comeback

Meralco’s Baser Amer. PBA IMAGES

Meralco withstood a late rally by Alaska to win, 99-91, in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday night at Mall of Asi Arena.

Baser Amer nearly had a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds that went with five assists and two steals for the Bolts, who notched their fifth win in six games.

Alex Stepheson also produced big numbers with 17 points and 26 rebounds for Meralco, which saw its 25-point lead in the fourth quarter dwindle to nine, 95-86, with 1:19 remaining.

“I thought we did a pretty good job for about 44 mins. Last four minutes we got a little bit sloppy and to be honest we got a little bit tired,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black.

“Key to winning was to break the pressure of Alaska and for the most part, we were able to do a good job.”

Cory Jefferson led the Aces with 32 points and 13 rebounds but it was Simon Enciso and captain Tony dela Cruz, who sparked their team’s fourth-quarter fightback.

Enciso and dela Cruz scored eight points each in the final five minutes as the Aces mounted a spirited run to make things interesting down the stretch.

With Meralco’s lead cut to 10, Amer took matters into his own hands, isolating Enciso and crossing him up for a pull up jumper that made it, 95-83, with 1:21 left.

Jefferson cut it to single digits with a quick triple before Bolts skipper Jared Dillinger sank two free throws with exactly a minute to go.

Dillinger wound up with 15 points, going 6-of-6 from the free throw line.