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The Meralco Bolts overcame a late blunder by import Andre Emmett to escape with an 83-81 victory over the Star Hotshots to claim their second win in the PBA Governors Cup Sunday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
With Meralco clinging to an 83-81 lead, Emmett committed a turnover as he was trapped on the sideline, giving Star a chance to win the game with five seconds left.
But Star import Marqus Blakely could only hoist a three-pointer that hit back iron as the buzzer sounded, leading head coach Tim Cone to put his face in his hands at the end of the game.
With the win, Meralco improved to 2-2 in the conference, while Star, the defending champions, lost for the second straight game and dropped to 1-2.
Veteran guard Gary David gave Meralco the lead for good with 2:50 to go when he converted a reverse lay-up off a turnover by Star, and Emmett made it an 81-77 game with 1:48 left with a shot off the glass.
Marc Pingris’ one-hander with 1:27 left made it a one-possession game, 79-81, but off a missed three by David, Meralco was able to steal the ball from Pingris, and Danny Ildefonso scored a lay-up that made it 83-79 with 1:08 to go.
Alex Mallari cut the lead to two points, 81-83, with 47 seconds left, and Star still had a chance after Meralco committed an eight-second backcourt violation.
But Star’s execution of its offense in the final minute left much to be desired.
Emmett finished the game with 37 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, and five steals, outplaying Blakely who had 20 points, eight boards, and 10 turnovers.
Photo: Mark Cristino/ABS-CBN. This story was republished with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com
