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PBA GOVERNORS' CUP

Durnham delivers as Meralco survives Phoenix


 

Meralco's Allen Durham (5) posts up against Willy Wilson. Photo: KC Cruz
Meralco's Allen Durham (5) posts up against Willy Wilson. Photo: KC Cruz

Allen Durnham had 32 points and 21 boards, including crucial back-to-back makes in the endgame to lead the Meralco Bolts to a 108-103 victory against the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Friday in the opening game of the 2016 PBA Governors' Cup.

The Bolts leaned on a solid second quarter to carry a 13-point edge at the half, 54-41, before the Fuelmasters turned the tide with a 30-21 third period. A Norbert Torres basket trimmed the lead to just four heading into the final frame, 75-71.

Jared Dillinger opened the fourth quarter with a triple for the Bolts, the Phoenix had Torres, Simon Enciso, and Josh Urbiztondo all connecting to establish a three-point lead with seven and a half minutes to go, 90-87.

Tied with three minutes remaining, four straight from the Bolts bumped the lead up to four, before Enciso hit anew to make it a one-point game.

In the final 79 seconds, however, Durnham came up big for Meralco, connecting on twice for a 105-100 advantage with 41 seconds remaining.

Phoenix called for time to stop the bleeding, as a quick strike from Simmons earned the Fuelmasters' import a trip to the line. Simmons missed the first before making the second, keeping it a two-possession game with 40 seconds left.

The Bolts melted the clock resulting in a shot clock violation, leaving Phoenix just 17 seconds after another full timeout. A miss from Simmons doomed Phoenix, as Durnham secured  insurance charities to secure the win.

Jared Dillinger and Jimmy Alapag added 15 points apiece, while Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge combined for 25 markers.

Marcus Simmons paced Phoenix with 21 points, 11 boards, seven assists, and three steals, while Simon Enciso chipped in 16 markers. Josh Urbiztondo had 12 points, while Willie Wilson and John Wilson added 11 apiece. —JST, GMA News

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