10 May 2018

Bolts 93, Beermen 85

Newsome
San Miguel's title defense is off to a rough start.

Meralco Bolts stole the thunder of Christian Standhardinger's debut with the Beermen, scoring a sensational 93-85 win over the defending champs in the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup last 9 April at the MOA Arena

Baser Amer was the star show, firing five triples for a game-high 28 points as the Bolts powered their way to back-to-back wins in the mid-season joust and a 3-1 record overall.

"It's always a big win if your beat San Miguel," head coach Norman Black said.

"We focused on our defense, we think that's the only way to win games. Of course, the backcourt did very well today with Chris Newsome and Baser Amer. It's always challenfe to beat San Miguel but it's a big win for us," he added.

Not minding the PBA debut of Standhardinger, the no. 1 pick of the 2017 Draft, Meralco engaged the reigning champions in a back-and-forth contest.

However, the Bolts started to get their groove in the fourth as Amer and Chris Newsome took over, outscoring the Beermen on their own, 22-17.

Amer scored three of his 13 fourth quarter points via free throws with 4:29 to go as Meralco took the lead for good, 79-77. Baser then hit another three less than a minute later as the Bolts started to pull away.

On top of his 28 points, Amer also had eight rebounds and three assists while Newsome finished with 23 points, nine in the fourth, to go along with seven rebounds and four assists.

Import Arinze Onuaky flirted wit a triple-dpuble and posted 13 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.

Playing the first game of the conference, the Beermen failed to find their groove with a more loaded crew.

Five players scored in double figures, led by import Troy Gillenwater with 19 points but only two came in the second half.

Alex Cabagnot and June Mar Fajardo scored 16 apiece. Standhardinger, struggled in 20 minutes of play, scoring only four points while being called for five fouls.

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