AKIL Mitchell split his free throws with 6.4 seconds left as Meralco came back from 11 points down to defeat Busan KCC Egis, 81-80, on Wednesday in the East Asia Super League at the Philsports Arena.
Bong Quinto tied the game at 80 on a three-pointer with 30.9 seconds left, and Leon Williams fouled Mitchell on a rebound play to set the stage for the Meralco import’s heroics.
Mitchell, who will also play for the Bolts in the coming Commissioner’s Cup, had 33 points and 22 rebounds to carry the team to a 2-1 win-loss record to post another victory at home.
Heo Ung’s desperate heave was off target as Meralco bounced back from their loss to Ryukyu Golden Kings last month in an away game in what was the farewell game of Allen Durham for the Bolts.
With the win, Meralco has already surpassed last season’s win total when it only had one.
DJ Kennedy had 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two steals for Meralco, while Quinto, Ange Kouame, and Chris Newsome each had eight points.
Deonte Burton finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals for Busan, which squandered a 64-53 lead late in the third quarter.
Busan fell to 0-2.
The scores:
Meralco 81 – Mitchell 33, Kennedy 14, Newsome 8, Quinto 8, Kouame 8, Hodge 6, Banchero 4, Caram 0.
Busan 80 – Burton 26, Heo 14, Lee G. 14, Lee S.H. 9, Williams 9, Jung 6, Lee H.Y. 2, Yeo 0, Epistola 0.
Quarters: 20-26; 42-53; 63-68; 81-80.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
