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| Jeremy Lin goes for a layup against Meralco's defense. EASL |
PASIG--New Taipei rose to the occasion in the third quarter to take down Meralco, 89-77, in the latter's last home stand in the EASL on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena.
Finding themselves in trouble of getting blown out at halftime, the Kings turned the tides in the third period, outscoring the Bolts, 24-11, to take a 66-58 lead entering the fourth.
New Taipei led by as much as 15, 79-64, with six minutes left and kept Meralco from mounting a comeback similar to what they almost did against Seoul SK last week.
Jeremy Lin led the Kings, who remained unbeaten in Group B at 3-0, with 23 points, highlighted by back-to-back threes that were part of the game-turning 11-0 run to start the third period, 10 rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Yang Chin-Min added 13 points including huge triples in the fourth period that helped them pull away from the Bolts, and two rebounds off the bench.
Zach Lofton made 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists for Meralco, which fell to 1-4.
The scores
New Taipei Kings (89) – Jeremy Lin 23, Yang 13, Manigault 12, Joseph Lin 11, Lee 11, Blankley 7, Anigwe 6, Su 4, Davis 2, Chien 0, Wang 0, Hung 0.
Meralco (77) – Lofton 20, Maliksi 12, Banchero 10, Hodge 8, Quinto 8, Ibeh 7, Almazan 5, Rios 4, Dario 3, Pascual 0, Bates 0.
Quarterscores: 21-21; 42-47; 66-58; 89-77.
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