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| Allen Durham was successful in his PBA comeback. Dennis Acosta |
QUEZON CITY—Allen Durham still proved valuable for Meralco in his first game back with the team as he paced them to a 99-94 win against Magnolia at the start of the league's 49th season on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In a game highlighted by three four-pointers including the first two from the Bolts in the second quarter, Durham was successful in his return to the Meralco franchise after two years with the B.League's Ryukyu Golden Kings as he led the way for the Bolts with 20 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Now needing to play more at the wings in Japan, the six-foot-six forward showed his improved perimeter game by going 3-for-5 from beyond the old perimeter arc.
However, Meralco still had to heave a sigh of relief as a four-pointer nearly won it for Magnolia.
Down three with 10 seconds left, Tre Robinson tried to go for the win by attempting a four-pointer, but his long-range bomb just hit the back iron, and Durham hit two free throws to ice the win.
Chris Banchero, who made history by hitting the PBA's first-ever official four-point shot, led the Bolts' locals with 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Jolo Mendoza, the other player who hit a four for Meralco, and Chris Newsome each added 13 markers.
Mendoza finished 4-for-4 from the field, all coming from at least 22 feet away.
Robinson led Magnolia with 29 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.
The Scores:
MERALCO 99 – Durham 20, Bancheroo 14, Newsome 13, Mendoza 13, Hodge 12, Quinto 9, Black 6, Rios 3, Pasaol 3, Cansino 2, Bates 2, Pascual 2, Caram 0, Torres 0
MAGNOLIA 94 – Robinson 29, Sangalang 17, Lee 14, Barroca 9, Lucero 7, Ahanmisi 6, Delka Rosa 5, Laput 4, Mendoza 3, Abueva 0, Dionisio 0, Escoto 0
QUARTERS: 16-12, 43-39, 74-63, 99-94
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