MANILA – The Meralco Bolts kicked off the PBA’s 49th season with a thrilling 99-94 victory against Magnolia on Sunday (18 Aug 2024) night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Allen Durham made a triumphant return to the Meralco squad after two years in Japan’s B.League, leading the Bolts with an impressive 20 points, 16 rebounds, two assists, and one steal. The six-foot-six forward showcased his improved perimeter shooting, sinking 3-of-5 attempts from beyond the arc.
The game nearly slipped away from Meralco in the final moments. With 10 seconds remaining and Meralco up by three, Magnolia’s Tre Robinson attempted a four-point shot to snatch the win but narrowly missed. Durham then sealed the victory by sinking two crucial free throws.
Chris Banchero made history by scoring the PBA’s first-ever official four-point shot, finishing with 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Banchero’s historic shot came early in the second quarter from deep on the left wing, following a drive-and-kick from Durham.
Mark Barroca and Paul Lee also made notable attempts, with Lee joining Banchero in the four-point club early in the fourth quarter. Jolo Mendoza contributed 13 points for Meralco, making all his shots from at least 22 feet, including a crucial four-pointer late in the second quarter.
Tre Robinson led Magnolia with a valiant effort, scoring 29 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Meralco’s balanced attack.
Fajardo Claims Eighth PBA MVP Title
Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo has solidified his status as the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) most dominant player by winning his eighth Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the Leo Awards held at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
The San Miguel center, who led the league in statistical points last season, outpaced teammate CJ Perez and Terrafirma’s Christian Standhardinger to secure the prestigious honor. Fajardo accumulated a staggering 2,799 points, surpassing Perez’s 1,951 and Standhardinger’s 1,731.
Fajardo’s exceptional performance also saw him top both the media and player votes, further cementing his MVP status. The Mythical First Team featured Fajardo, Perez, and Standhardinger, alongside NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino and Meralco’s Chris Newsome.
Rookie of the Year Stephen Holt spearheaded the Mythical Second Team, joined by Cliff Hodge, Calvin Oftana, Jason Perkins, and Juami Tiongson, who contributed to Terrafirma’s playoff resurgence.
Fajardo, Newsome, and Hodge were also named to the All-Defensive Team, alongside Joshua Munzon of Batang Pier and Kemark Carino of Dyip.
Additional awards saw Rain Or Shine’s Jhonard Clarito recognized as Most Improved Player and Paul Zamar honored with the Sportsmanship Award.
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