The Meralco Bolts did enough in the end game to fend off the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 82-74, in their out-of-town showdown in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup on Saturday night, September 7.

Chris Newsome had 21 points and Bong Quinto added 16, while Allen Durham had a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double as the Bolts averted an upset at the Panabo City Tourism Cultural and Sports Center in Davao del Norte.

The Hotshots were playing with an all-Filipino lineup, as replacement import Shabazz Muhammad was yet to be cleared for action.

Yet they refused to go away quietly, trimming a double-digit deficit to just four points, 74-70, with still over two minutes left off an Aris Dionisio three-pointer.

But Durham made back-to-back layups while Dionisio and Mark Barroca misfired from long range, allowing the Bolts to regain control, 78-70, with 1:20 to play.

Zavier Lucero led Magnolia with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Barroca had 12 points.

Ian Sangalang had a game to forget, making just three-of-11 field goals for seven points.

With the win, Meralco improved to 5-1 to take the solo lead in Group A, while the Hotshots fell to 3-3. (ABS-CBN News)

MERALCO 82 — Newsome 21, Quinto 16, Durham 15, Banchero 10, Cansino 6, Bates 5, Pascual 4, Mendoza 3, Caram 2, Jose 0, Rios 0, Pasaol 0.

MAGNOLIA 74 — Lucero 14, Barroca 12, Lee 11, Balanza 10, Sangalang 9, Abueva 7, Dionisio 7, Laput 2, Ahanmisi 2, Dela Rosa 0, Mendoza 0, Reavis 0.

Quarterscores: 19-14, 39-30, 62-49, 82-74.