AMERICAN-Panamanian import Akil Mitchell delivered the game-winner as Meralco Bolts rallied from a 23-point deficit to score a 111-109 victory over the Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.

The 6-9 Charlotte, North Carolina-born Mitchell tallied a double-double of 27 points and 13 rebounds to power the Bolts to victory

Chris Newsome added 23 points and six assists Aaron Black contributed 15 points, Bong Quinto had 14 points and Anjo Caram chipped in 10 points for Meralco.

Donovan Smith paced the losing effort of the Fuel Masters with 33 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

The Fuel Masters dropped to 0-2.

Mitchell redeemed himself with a clutch floater with 1.3 seconds remaining, making up for two missed free throws that nearly cost the Bolts the game.

The Bolts had rallied from a massive 23-point deficit, trailing 54-73 at halftime and finally takng the lead in the last 2:10 of the game.

Jason Perkins attempted to force overtime for the Fuel Masters but air-balled his jumper, nullifying Tyler Tio’s earlier heroics that tied the game at 109-all before Mitchell’s decisive shot.

Meanwhile, guest team Hong Kong Eastern secured its second consecutive victory with a 117-106 win over the Converge FiberXers.

Cameron Clark delivered a stellar double-double performance as he finished with 39 points on 15-of-24 shooting, along with 15 rebounds and two blocks, to lead Eastern to victory.

Hayden Blankley added 21 points and 10 rebounds while Glen Yang had 19 points.

Cheick Diallo led the FiberXers with 43 points and nine rebounds while Alec Stockton added 18 points.

Jordan Heading and Schonny Winston chipped in with 13 and 12 points.

The scores:

First game

Meralco (111) — Mitchell 27, Newsome 23, Black 15, Quinto 14, Caram 10, Rios 8, Hodge 7, Jose 5, Almazan 2, Pasaol 0.
Phoenix (109) — Smith 33, Ballungay 18, Tio 17, Rivero 14, Alejandro 6, Perkins 6, Jazul 6, Manganti 4, Tuffin 3, Verano 2, Ular 0.
Quarterscores: 25-36, 54-73, 78-91, 111-109

Second game

Eastern (117) — Clark 39, Blankley 21, Yang 19, Guinchard 14, Lam 11, Cheung 4, Cao 3, Chan 2, Pok 2, Xu
Converge (106)– Diallo 43, Stockton 18, Heading 13, Winston 12, Arana 10, Racal 5, Nieto 5, Delos Santos 0, Santos 0, Javillonar 0
Quarterscores: 21-20, 58-55, 91-83, 117-106.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya