PBA

Bishop erupts for 36 as Meralco escapes late TNT comeback to go 2-0

Import Tony Bishop unloaded a huge double-double as Meralco averted a late TNT comeback, 83-80, and remained undefeated in the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Down almost all game long, the Tropang Giga tied things up at 76-all after two free throws from Mikey Williams with still four minutes left in the game. However, Bishop countered with a personal 5-0 run to give the Bolts an 81-76 lead.

Up 82-77, Meralco saw its lead trimmed down to two after a 3-0 swing by TNT with only 38.5 ticks left in the match. Cliff Hodge then missed a three-point attempt but Bishop got the offensive rebound.

It led to TNT fouling Chris Newsome, who split his charities for an 83-80 upper hand. TNT head coach Chot Reyes called for a timeout to set up their final play but veteran Kelly Williams missed out on his triple attempt.

Bishop carried the load for Meralco, notching a double-double of 36 points and 17 rebounds to go along with three assists and one steal as the Bolts improved to 2-0.

TNT, who now dropped to 1-2, was led by  RR Pogoy with 25 markers, 12 boards, and two dimes while Mikey Williams chipped in 24 points.

The scores:

Meralco 83 - Bishop 36, Newsome 15, Maliksi 10, Caram 7, Hodge 6, Almazan 5, Quinto 3, Black 1, Pinto 0, Belo 0.

TNT 80 - M. Pogoy 25, Williams 24, Castro 16, K. Moore 4, Erram 4, Williams 3,  Marcelo 2, Banal 2, Heruela 0, Reyes 0, Khobuntin 0.

Quarter scores: 21-18, 44-35, 63-58, 83-80

—MGP, GMA News