Meralco’s Bong Quinto gestures after making a basket against Hong Kong Eastern in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Meralco arrested a two-game skid after holding off guest team Hong Kong Eastern, 88-83, in the resumption of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Akil Mitchell, still wearing a face mask to protect his broken nose, put up 31 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and seven assists as the Bolts improved to 4-2 following defeats to the Blackwater Bossing and Phoenix Fuel Masters to end 2024.
Bong Quinto, Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge and Aaron Black were also instrumental on both ends to help Meralco open the new year on a winning note.
READ: PBA: Akil Mitchell, Meralco bounce back to start year on winning note
The Bolts also began a hectic week in which they’ll also play the TNT Tropang Giga on Tuesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City and NLEX Road Warriors on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Quinto was the only other player in double figures after scoring 16 points but coach Luigi Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic were rather pleased with the development of having Meralco close to intact.
Brandon Bates and rookie CJ Cansino came back for Meralco after being sidelined by injuries, leaving veteran gunner Allein Maliksi as the only key player on the mend.
READ: PBA: Newsome hoping for healthy Meralco team after break
Maliksi was placed back on the reserve list despite playing in Meralco’s Christmas Day loss to Converge due to bone spurs.
Eastern dropped to 6-3 despite rallying in the fourth to even take the lead, 73-72, on Hayden Blankley’s basket.
But Mitchell and company made sure the Bolts won’t falter anew, making key play after key play the rest of the way.