Bolts stay unbeaten with win over TNT

The Meralco Bolts relied on a 28-18 third quarter to defeat TNT KaTropa, 94-89, on Friday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum in the elimination round of the 2017 PBA Commissioner's Cup.

 

A Chris Newsome trey at the 9:02 mark of the fourth stretched the Bolts's lead to nine points, before TNT uncorked an 8-2 run to trim the lead to three after a Kelly Williams split, 81-78, with 5:37 remaining.

 

Misses from TNT's end, followed by a five-point swing from Baser Amer and Jared Dillinger brought the lead up to eight with 1:16 to go, as three straight misses in the next possession doomed the KaTropa. Justin Chua charities in the dying seconds put the game away.

 

Alex Stepheson paced Meralco with 20 points and 27 rebounds, while Baser Amer was stellar with 17 points in a starting role. Jared Dillinger also had 17 markers, while Chris Newsome and Reynel Hugnatan added 10 points each.

 

Lou Amundson tallied 19 points and 18 rebounds for TNT, while Royer Pogoy was solid for 15 points and nine boards. Ryan Reyes was the only other KaTropa in doubel figures with 11. — DVM, GMA News