By Dugout Philippines
Reynel Hugnatan turned back time and put up impressive numbers in Meralco's 112-108 double overtime win against Barako Bull at the resumption of the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Hugnatan, a former star of the MBA's Negros Slashers and a former PBA first round pick, scored a league career-high 28 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the Bolts' first win under Coach Norman Black.
Meralco, however, needed ten more minutes to escape with the win as Barako Bull's Dennis Miranda stripped the ball from Gary David to force the first overtime and Miranda's teammate Chico Lanete scored on a floater with 0.1 second remaining in the extra period to force the second overtime.
After an exchange of baskets to kick off the second extension, John Wilson scored on a jumper and Cliff Hodge added a free throw to put Meralco up, 106-103.
Hodge then stopped Lanete on the other end and Wilson added two more charities to increase the lead to five.
Lanete made up for the Hodge block and drained a jumper to cut Barako's deficit to three, 105-108, with 36.5 seconds left.
But Hodge once again delivered in the clutch as he countered with his own jump shot to put the Bolts up by five again with 19.1 seconds to go.
R.R. Garcia kept the Energy Colas in the game after draining a triple with 5.3 seconds remaining.
But Hugnatan iced the game with two free throws to complete a perfect 10-for-10 clip from the charity stripe.
Hugnatan's fellow ex-Slasher John Ferriols also put up good numbers as he made ten points even as Sean Anthony added 14 markers and nine boards for Meralco.
Lanete led Barako Bull with 21 points, while J.C. Intal added 20 on 4-of-6 shooting from long range.
Box Scores:
Meralco 112–Hugnatan 28, Anthony 14, Wilson 13, Atkins 10, Hodge 10, Ferriols 10, Dillinger 7, David 6, Cortez 4, Sena 4, Guevarra 4, Morrison 2, Buenafe 0
Barako Bull 108–Lanete 21, Intal 20, Wilson 16, Miranda 15, Garcia 14, Lastimosa 6, Pennisi 5, Marcelo 4, Pascual 4, Fortuna 3, Salva 0, Salvador 0
Quarterscores: 19-25, 45-54, 71-76, 90-90, 101-101, 112-108
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