Allen Durham pulled off another monster game, scoring 29 points and 27 rebounds to carry the Meralco Bolts to a 96-90 victory over the Star Hotshots in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday at Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
Durham also had seven assists and three blocks in an all-around effort as the Bolts (6-2) registered their sixth win in eight games at the expense of the Hotshots (4-3) who dropped their third straight game.
Chris Newsome added 17 points, four rebounds and seven assists while Cliff Hodge chipped in 15 points and seven boards in the victory that pulled the Bolts closer to a twice-to-beat ticket.
The Bolts’ hot start enabled them to control the game from start to finish. A 19-2 run in the first quarter propelled them to a commanding 30-13 advantage early in the game.
At the end of the first half, Durham already had 15 points and 14 rebounds as the Bolts took a comfortable 59-41 cushion at the break.
The Hotshots tried numerous times to come back. They trimmed their deficit to six, 91-85, with a minute left but Newsome and Hodge made huge plays to seal the Meralco win.
The scores:
Meralco 96 – Durham 29, Newsome 17, Hodge 15, Amer 13, Lanete 11, Tolomia 7, Dillinger 2, Hugnatan 2, Sedurifa 0, Caram 0, Nabong 0.
Star 90 – Hill 28, Jalalon 15, Sangalang 11, Lee 9, Maliksi 7, Ramos 7, Pingris 6, Barroca 5, Brondial 0, Dela Rosa 0, Simon 0, Melton 0.
Quarterscores: 32-15, 59-41, 74-67, 96-90.
