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| PBA |
By Ivan Saldajeno
QUEZON CITY--Meralco banked on a solid late fourth quarter to beat GlobalPort, 96-88, in their PBA Commissioner's Cup clash at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
Leading after the first quarter only to see the Batang Pier slowly crawling back and even taking the advantage midway in the fourth, the Bolts went on a crucial 18-6 run inside the last five minutes to depose their opponents and grab their fifth straight win in as many games, matching their best franchise start set in last year's edition of the mid-season conference.
Jared Dillinger had 17 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while Chris Newsome added 15 points, two rebounds, and one assist for Meralco, which can set a new franchise record for the longest winning streak to start a conference on Saturday against San Miguel in Legazpi.
Calvin Warner's 29-point, 19-rebound, and two-block explosion ended up in misery as GlobalPort lost for the second straight time in the tournament.
Box Scores:
Box Scores:
Meralco 96-Dillinger 17, Newsome 15, Onuaku 13, Hugnatan 12, Amer 9, Caram 8, Hodge 6, David 5, Nabong 4, Alapag 3, Bono 2, Faundo 2
Globalport 88-Warner 29, Romeo 18, Semerad 11, Taha 11, Uyloan 7, Mamaril 6, Washington 4, Kramer 2, Jensen 0, Pena 0, Sumang 0
Quarterscores: 25-27, 40-38, 65-65, 96-88
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Globalport 88-Warner 29, Romeo 18, Semerad 11, Taha 11, Uyloan 7, Mamaril 6, Washington 4, Kramer 2, Jensen 0, Pena 0, Sumang 0
Quarterscores: 25-27, 40-38, 65-65, 96-88
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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