PBA Finals: Meralco fends off Ginebra to tie series at 1-1

Baser Amer comes through in clutch for Meralco Bolts. PBA IMAGES

LUCENA CITY — Meralco used a torrid shooting in the first half then a stingy defense in the next to slip past Barangay Ginebra, 104-102, and knot the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals series at 1-1 Friday night at Quezon Convention Center here.

Baser Amer hit a pair of crucial treys to help pad the lead and fend off Gin Kings’ spirited tries at a comeback down the stretch.

Three more of Meralco’s starters delivered 15 or more, including Allen Durham who once again fired a double-double of 21 points and 18 rebounds and helping the Bolts avoid a 0-2 hole in the best-of-seven finals.

That’s it! Meralco win, 104-102! Series tied, 1-1. Dance returns to Araneta this Sunday! #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/fyG8vXcxc6

— Denison Rey Dalupang (@sonrdINQ) January 10, 2020

Amer, who was hounded with fouls early in the contest, finished with 17 points.

Justin Brownlee had his usual numbers for Ginebra, finishing with 35 points and 11 rebounds, while Stanley Pringle improved from his lackluster Game 1 performance with 23 and 10.

Japeth Aguilar tossed in 18 more while LA Tenorio 10 in the losing stand where the Gin Kings played catch-up the whole night at an arena where they had won five of their last six games.

The series moves back to Smart Araneta Coliseum this Sunday, where the two teams dispute a 2-1 lead in the series at 6:30 p.m.