The Meralco Bolts gave a rousing welcome to the beginning of the month by outlasting Rain or Shine, 121-111, in a grindout all-Filipino showdown in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center.
The Bolts endured the premature departure of Akil Mitchell due to a nose injury suffered just 11 seconds into the game to beat the Elasto Painters, who started the game without reinforcement Deon Thompson due to his lack of a special work permit.
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said Mitchell likely suffered a broken nose, raising a question on why a foul wasn't called in the play.
Action got heated even in the sidelines with Meralco active consultant Nenad Vucinic, Rain or Shine head coach Yeng Guiao, and player Beau Belga getting into a verbal argument at the 8:10-mark of the fourth quarter. All three were given technical fouls.
Newsome scored 21 of his game-high 25 in the first half then Quinto (20 points), Jansen Rios (16), Norbert Torres (13), Raymond Almazan (12) and Cliff Hodge (11) also lit it up, helping one another to foil Rain or Shine's bid for a win in its conference debut.
The Elasto Painters stuck in the battle before eventually yielding with Datu (17 points), Adrian Nocum (15), Leonard Santillan (14), Jhonard Clarito (13), Caelan Tiongson (12) and Andrei Caracut) carrying the load for the team.
After falling behind by 11 at 66-77, the E-Painters had a hard time gaining ground.
The Bolts recorded their second win in as many outings, joining Eastern and NorthPort at the top of the standings. The Bolts will be up next versus the Terrafirma Dyip on 6 December at Ninoy Aquino Stadium inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
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