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.

ia/mnm

MANILA — The Meralco Bolts have finally ended their 14-year championship drought, securing their first-ever PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup title dramatically.

In a thrilling encounter at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, the Bolts edged out the San Miguel Beermen, 80-78, thanks to a clutch game-winner from Chris Newsome.

The Bolts displayed immense determination and tenacity, leading the game for over 47 minutes. However, with just 3.3 seconds left, San Miguel’s June Mar Fajardo sank a miraculous three-pointer to tie the game, setting up a nail-biting finish.

Newsome, who had struggled throughout the game with a 3-of-16 shooting performance, rose to the occasion and nailed a decisive fall-away shot over defender Don Trollano, securing Meralco’s long-awaited victory.

Newsome, a key player for Gilas Pilipinas, finished the game with 15 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals. His pivotal contributions throughout the series, particularly in Games One, Three, and Four, earned him the Finals MVP award.

In a show of humility, Newsome shared the accolade with his teammates, acknowledging their collective effort in overcoming the formidable Beermen and thwarting their pursuit of a season sweep.

The victory not only broke San Miguel’s bid for an 11-game sweep in the eliminations but also marked Meralco’s first Philippine Cup finals win.

Coach Luigi Trillo and his team celebrated the long-awaited achievement, with significant contributions from players like Allein Maliksi, Chris Banchero, Bong Quinto, Raymond Almazan, Brandon Bates, and Cliff Hodge.

San Miguel, led by Coach Jorge Gallent, was aiming for a season double after winning the Commissioner’s Cup against the Magnolia Hotshots. However, their aspirations were dashed by a resilient Meralco team that was determined to claim their date with destiny.

The Bolts’ journey to the title was a testament to their perseverance and hard work. After a heartbreaking 0-4 record in previous Governors’ Cup finals against Barangay Ginebra, the Bolts came out strong in Game Five, narrowly escaping with a 92-88 victory.

They continued their momentum into Game Six, starting with a commanding 29-18 lead in the first quarter and extending their advantage to as much as 17 points in the first half.

Despite a late-game surge from Fajardo, who scored five points in the final 29 seconds, including the game-tying three-pointer, Meralco’s resilience prevailed.

Newsome, a veteran of Meralco’s past finals heartbreaks, delivered the biggest shot of his career, propelling the Bolts to a long-awaited championship and sending their fans into jubilation.

The Meralco Bolts’ triumph over the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Cup finals represents a significant milestone in the team’s history, bringing an end to years of struggle and disappointment.

(el Amigo/mnm)