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PBA: Meralco spoils Pacquiao's on-court return for Kia


Pacquiao played in just his second PBA game. KC Cruz
 
The Meralco Bolts had a rude welcome for Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday, fashioning out a 99-93 win over his Kia Sorento on Tuesday at SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
 
In just his second appearance in the PBA, the Kia playing coach started for the Sorento and played the first six minutes.
 
Meralco pounced on the Sorento quickly, taking a 17-point lead, 23-6, early in the ballgame.
 
The Bolts held a comfortable 60-39 lead at halftime, but the Sorento proved that it wasn't going down without a fight.
 
Kia outscored Meralco, 32-13, in the third period to come to within a single point, 73-72, heading into the final quarter.
 
LA Revilla, the hero of Kia's lone win on opening day, scored five straight points early in the fourth to put Kia on top, 77-75.
 
"When they took lead in fourth there's a possibility we might lose the game," said Meralco coach Norman Black.
 
Meralco was still down, 81-80, when a Mark Macapagal three-pointer sparked a 12-2 run that put the Bolts ahead, 92-83, with four minutes remaining.
 
Kia remained within striking distance, cutting the deficit to a single possession, 96-93, with 48.7 seconds remaining. But the Sorento could not convert, allowing the Bolts to ice the game down the stretch.
 
"It's been a roller coaster ride so I'll take the win," said Black, who drew 25 points from Jared Dillinger. "I'm happy with the win."
 
Meralco snapped a two-game losing skid to improve its Philippine Cup record to 5-5. 
 
Kia, meanwhile, was eliminated for playoff contention after losing its ninth straight game for a 1-9 slate. — JST, GMA News

The scores:
 
Meralco 99 -- Dillinger 25, Hodge 17, Anthony 14, Wilson 11, David 10, Macapagal 8, Morrison 4, Cortez 3, Ferriols 3, Ildefonso 2, Sena 2, Buenafe 0, Guevarra 0.
 
Kia 93 -- Cervantes 18, Poligrates 11, Revilla 10, Bagatsing 10, Thiele 9, Alvarez 8, Pascual 8, Dehesa 7, Custodio 6, Webb 4, Burtscher 3, Pacquiao 0, Buensuceso 0.
 
Quarters: 34-19; 60-39; 73-72; 99-93.

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