ILAGAN, Isabela – Meralco survived the loss of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the spirited comeback of the Macau Black Bears to prevail in a thrilling endgame, 93-91, in the EASL Home and Away Season 3 at the Capital Arena here Saturday night.
The Bolts lost Hollis-Jefferson to injury midway in the second half, opening the door for the Black Bears’ rally from as many as a 64-44 deficit and within a single possession in the final four seconds.
But Phoenix Shackleford’s inbound pass to Sam Deguara was a bit too strong for the 7-foot-6 import, leading to an Ismael Romero steal to seal the win for the Bolts.
Justin Brownlee had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds in his Meralco debut.
The Bolts' third straight win is now the most in the team's EASL history as they improved to a 3-2 record and stay at no. 2 in Group B.
“You have to give them a lot of credit, they played hard, they played with a lot of heart,” said Meralco coach Nenad Vucinic of the Black Bears, who trailed by as many as 64-44 in the third period.
But the huge lead slowly dissipated shortly when Hollis-Jefferson went out of the court after hurting his ankle upon stepping on the foot of Deguara.
Ismael Romero delivered another monster double-double for Meralco with 24 points and 17 rebounds, Iranian point guard Sina Vahedi came through with 23 including 15 in the second half, while Hollis-Jefferson had 15, four rebounds, and seven assists before retreating to the locker room with 5:37 to go in the third quarter never to return again.
Omari Peek-Green led Macau with 26 points, Shackelford with 24 and Damian Chongqui with the same output, but scored 22 of them in the second half as he led the fiery charge of the Black Bears, who lost for the second straight game against Meralco.
The 7-foot-6 Deguara came through with a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds for Macau.
The scores
Meralco 93 – Romero 24, Vahedi 23, Hollis-Jefferson 15, Brownlee 12, Hodge 10, Newsome 9, Banchero 0, Cansino 0, Bates 0.
Macau 91 – Peek-Green 26, Chongqui 24, Shackelford 24, Deguara 11, Watson 3, Lao 3.
Quarters: 29-27; 51-44; 71-63; 93-91.
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