By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Meralco Bolts banked on a huge fourth quarter assault to score a come-from-behind 86-83 victory over the Terrafirma Dyip in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, April 3.
Down by double-digits early in the contest, the Bolts slowly carved their way back into the game until they took the lead at 72-71 on conversions from Norbert Torres and Kier John Quinto.
Meralco increased the lead to 76-71, but Terrafirma kept the match close and even took the lead for the last time at 81-79 on connections from Juan Miguel Tiongson and Stephen Holt.
Quinto then stepped up for the Bolts as he drilled a three-pointer to give the Bolts an 82-81 lead before following it up with a split free throw and an inside basket for an 85-81 edge with 14 seconds left.
The Dyip made their last push at 83-85 on two free throws by Holt with six seconds left.
The Bolts widened it with a split free throw by Quinto before his teammates secured the offensive rebound, sealing the come-from-behind win.
Quinto led the way for the Bolts with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Torres chipped in 15 markers, with eight coming in the fourth quarter, while Raymond Almazan ended with 14 as they improved to a 3-3 record.
Tiongson paced Dyip with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Holt chipped in 20 markers, while Aldrech Ramos and Javi Gomez de Liaño contributed 11 points apiece. They dropped to 3-3.
Meanwhile, Beau Belga recorded his first PBA career triple-double as the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters scored a dominant 110-90 victory over the luck-less Converge FiberXers.
The former Philippine Christian University Dolphins center finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists as the Painters notched their second consecutive win for a 2-4 win-loss slate.
Belga also became the first local player for the Asian Coatings franchise to tally a triple-double, and he also became the oldest player to tally a triple-double at 37, since Ramon Fernandez (38) had the feat with the San Miguel Beermen in 1992./ASC, WDJ
MERALCO 86 — Quinto 18, Torres 15, Almazan 14, Black 7, Mendoza 7, Newsome 7, Banchero 6, Maliksi 6, Hodge 4, Pascual 2, Jose 0, Rios 0.
TERRAFIRMA 83 — Tiongson 20, Holt 20, Gomez de Liaño 11, Ramos 11, Sangalang 6, Go 4, Camson 4, Carino 4, Cahilig 3, Mina 0, Calvo 0, Alolino 0.
Quarterscores: 19-25, 39-46, 63-65, 86-83.