NEW Taipei leaned on a strong finishing kick to turn back a gritty Meralco side, 97-92, in the EASL Home and Away Season on Wednesday night at the Xinzhuang gymnasium in Taipei.
The Kings went on an 8-3 run anchored on Jeremy Lin and imports Kenny Manigault and Christian Anigwe to break open what until then was a tightly-fought game.
The run stretched a slim four-point lead to a 94-85 spread with 1:24 left to play.
The win was the second straight for the Kings, who retained the top spot in Group B at 2-0, while dealing the Bolts a second consecutive loss.
New import Zach Lofton dropped 35 points in his Meralco debut and hit 6-of-13 from three-point range, while Prince Ibeh had 18 points and six rebounds.
But the Bolts couldn't complete what they've started after controlling most of the first half, and actually even led 66-65 entering the final quarter.
Chris Newsome added 16 points, six rebounds, and four assists, even as Anjo Caram also finished in double figures with 10.
The scores
New Taipei Kings (97) – Jeremy Lin 25, Manigault 19, Blankley 15, Kee 8, Anigwe 8, Yang 7, Joseph Lin 6, Davis 5, Su 4, Chen 0.
Meralco (92) – Lofton 35, Ibeh 18, Newsome 16, Caram 10, Hodge 5, Banchero 4, Quinto 2, Almazan 2, Rios 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 25-30; 45-48; 65-66; 97-92.
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