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STA. ROSA, Laguna--Meralco banked on a hot first half and preserved a win over Star in the first-ever PBA game held at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex on Saturday night.
The Bolts surged ahead late in the first quarter, ending the period on a 12-0 run to take a 32-15 lead.Nabong
The Hotshots would start the second quarter strong, going on a 6-0 run behind back-to-back triples from Jio Jalalon to cut thhe lead to 12, 34-22, but the Bolts stayed poised and stretched the lead to as high as 20, 61-41, early in the third quarter.
Star actually mounted a comeback bid, coming to as close as six at some points in the fourth quarter, the last at 87-93 with 48.9 seconds left.
But a press-breaker from Cliff Hodge from close range sealed the deal for Meralco.
Allen Durham led the Bolts, who stayed in third place at 6-2, with 29 points, 27 rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and one steal.
Chris Newsome added 17 points, four rebounds, and seven assists, while Hodge came up with 15 points, seven boards, and one steal.
Baser Amer and Garvo Lanete provided the first half burst for the Bolts, each scoring 11 points in the first 24 minutes. Amer finished with 13.
Malcolm Hill finished with 28 points, 10 caroms, two dimes, four steals, and one block for the Hotshots, which fell to fifth place with their third straight loss.
In arguably his best game this conference, Jio Jalalon came cose to a triple-double, tallying 15 markers, nine rebounds, and seven dimes.
Box Scores:
Meralco 96-Durham 29, Newsome 17, Hodge 15, Amer 13, Lanete 11, Tolomia 7, Hugnatan 2, Nabong 0, Sedurifa 0, Caram 0
Star 90-Hill 28, Jalalon 15, Sangalang 11, Lee 9, Ramos 7, Maliksi 7, Pingris 6, Barroca 5, Reavis 2, Melton 0, Simon 0, Dela Rosa 0, Brondial 0
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