PBA: Akil Mitchell, Meralco bounce back to start year on winning note

Meralco import Akil Mitchell during a game against Hong Kong Eastern in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco import Akil Mitchell made sure to enter the new year completely opposite to how the Bolts ended the last.

Coming off a Christmas beating at the hands of Converge, which dealt them their worst loss of the conference, 110-94, the Bolts started the year right with an 88-83 win over Hong Kong Eastern at the resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday.

“After we came back [from break], it was easy. You take the gratitudes, ups and downs so you can come back and get back to work,” Mitchell said.

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Meralco import Akil Mitchell and coach Luigi Trillo after getting the dub over Eastern. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/OAYUKWfgvj

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) January 5, 2025

“There’s no time to hang our heads down. We had a really good Eastern team to beat tonight, a really good TNT team to beat on Tuesday and we’re into it.”

Mitchell showed more bounce in his step and finished with a double-double of 31 points and 14 rebounds.

The 32-year-old big man did more than carry the offensive load in 41 minutes as he also snagged seven steals plus five assists to hike the Bolts’ record to 4-2.

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“We’re into it. There’s no time to feel sorry for ourselves, look around and think about what we need to do. We need to put actions into our words.”

The Bolts look to bolster their standing when they face TNT on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.