PBA: Meralco rallies from 23 down to beat Phoenix

Akil Mitchell leads Meralco Bolts past Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Meralco overcame a listless first half and a 23-point deficit to produce a 111-109 victory over Phoenix in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup held Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Import Akil Mitchell scored a one-handed shot with 1.3 seconds left as the Bolts prevailed despite missing four key players to injuries to begin their campaign in the midseason tournament.

Mitchell, who posted 27 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and six steals, received a pass from Chris Newsome from the left side of the foul line, faked a shot that enabled him to get by Kenneth Tuffin for the winning basket.

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Returning Aaron Black also keyed the Bolts’ rally, finishing with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Black played just two games the previous conference after undergoing surgery for a meniscus injury.

Newsome had 23 points and six rebounds while Bong Quinto added 14 points, five rebounds and five assists despite dealing with a hurting right knee throughout the contest.

The Bolts played minus Allein Maliksi, Chris Banchero, Brandon Bates and rookie CJ Cansino, forcing coach Luigi Trillo and active consultant Nenad Vucinic to go deep into their lineup.

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Phoenix dropped to 0-2, wasting a 71-48 lead and 73-54 at the half that seemed to have demoralized the Meralco side.

But the Bolts slowly came back, leaning on their defense to eventually set up the first cardiac finish in the early goings of the tourney.

Import Donovan Smith made 33 points, nine rebounds and two blocks for the Fuel Masters.

Rookie Kai Ballungay produced 18 points and seven boards with Tyler Tio adding 17.