SHONN Miller dominated in his Meralco debut, finishing with 33 points and 22 rebounds to lift the Bolts to an 85-80 win over Magnolia Chicken Timplados in the PBA 48th season Commissioner’s Cup at the University of San Agustin gym in Iloilo City.
Miller capped an impressive maiden game by scoring on a crucial tip-in during a key stretch late as the Bolts put away their seventh win in nine outings to gain a share of second place with Phoenix Super LPG.
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Dealt with another loss in an out-of-town game this conference, Magnolia closed the eliminations with a 9-2 win-loss record - still good enough to claim the top seed in the knockout quarterfinals.
Miller, the Bolts’ third import this conference after taking over from Zach Lofton, scored on a putback with 1:40 left to increase the lead to three after the Hotshots cut down a double-digit deficit to one, 77-76.
Cliff Hodge followed the Miller basket with a jumper of his own to extend the lead to five points.
Chris Newsome added 17 points including four late free throws to seal the win, which came just days after the Bolts lost an EASL home game to Jeremy Lin and the New Taipei Kings at the PhilSports Arena.
The Bolts went on an 11-0 blast midway through the fourth quarter to erect the biggest lead by either side in the game, 73-61.
Tyler Bey had 23 points and 16 rebounds, while Mark Barroca had 18 points for Magnolia, whose first defeat of the conference came in another road game in Cagayan De Oro City against Rain or Shine.
The scores:
Meralco 85 – Miller 33, Newsome 17, Quinto 8, Caram 6, Hodge 5, Banchero 3, Black 2, Almazan 2, Rios 2, Bates 2.
Magnolia 80 – Bey 23, Barroca 18, Abueva 10, Jalalon 8, Eriobu 5, Lee 4, Sangalang 4, Dela Rosa 3, Mendoza 3, Laput 2, Tratter 0, Dionisio 0.
Quarters: 20-16; 35-37; 57-58; 85-80.
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