By Peter Atencio
KJ McDaniel fired a game-high 39 points for the Meralco Bolts, who beat the TNT Tropang Giga in overtime, 124-114, in Game 2 of their best-of-five semifinal series on Sunday in the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association Governors Cup at the Ynares Sports Complex in Antipolo.
McDaniel only had six points in the extra five minutes, as the shifted to a more defensive game, but they proved enough as the Bolts tied the series at 1-1.
Aaron Black came up with a career-high 28 points in helping the Bolts bounce back from a 80-110 loss to the Tropang Giga in Game 1.
Black and McDaniel combined for 12 points in the extra time, with the 26-year-old Black presiding over a decisive 8-0 blast, which allowed the Bolts to move away from a 114-all tie, and into a 122-114 edge.
Coach Norman Black said the Bolts played a more energetic game this around.
“I was hoping that they would play with more energy today. They played a hard game in Game 1,” said the elder Black.