PBA: Meralco spoils Malik Pope's debut, turns back up-and-down SMB

Akil Mitchell outplayed the debuting Malik Pope. PBA Images
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Meralco kept San Miguel in a precarious position in the PBA Commissioner's Cup even if a new import came on with a 100-93 win in their Saturday night clash at the Candon City Arena.

CJ Cansino broke the Beermen's hearts with a mid-range jumper that upped the Bolts' lead to five, 98-93, with 1:47 remaining.

SMB then imploded from there as crucial turnovers from new foreign signing Malik Pope and CJ Perez sealed their fate down the stretch.

Akil Mitchell put up 26 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, and one steal to lead Meralco, which now joined a four-way tie for second place with Hong Kong Eastern, Converge, and NorthPort at 7-3, just behind conference-leading TNT on winning percentage.

Chris Newsome added 20 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal for the Bolts, who have formally qualified for the quarterfinals.

June Mar Fajardo put up 20 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, and one block for SMB, which dropped to 4-5, although the team remains in eighth place.

Pope had 14 points, nine rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal in his PBA debut.

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