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| Henry Walker led the way for the Elite anew. PBA Media Bureau |
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--Despite making the semifinals of the FIBA Asia Champions Cup, Meralco somehow had a hard time at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand, only winning one out of five matches.
On Friday night, someone who once called the Stadium 29 home made lives difficult for the team in its return to the Philippine Basketball Association.
Paul Zamar struck the game-winning shot as Blackwater turned back Meralco, 94-91, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The former Mono Vampire star buried a huge triple with 7.9 seconds left that gave the Elite their fifth win in the conference against a lone loss, tying the Magnolia Hotshots and Barangay Ginebra in number one.
Zamar's trey actually preserved Blackwater's late comeback after Meralco threatened to force overtime.
Down 71-80 with 5:40 to play, the Elite slowly crawled back and took the lead, 91-88, on a Mac Belo triple with 57 seconds left.
However, Allen Durham made three free throws that tied the game at 91 apiece.
With no timeout left, John Pinto found Zamar open from top of the key, and Zamar scored the triple.
Needing a triple to tie the game again, Durham opted for a quick two that he missed.
Henry Walker led Blackwater with 24 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, four blocks, and one steal.
Belo added 14 points, five rebounds, and one assist, while Zamar chipped in 13 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one block off the bench.
Durham's 32-point blast went for naught as Meralco fell further to 1-4.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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