MERALCO went to import Akil Mitchell to save the day and the game against reigning Korean Basketball League (KBL) champion Busan KCC Egis, 81-80, in their thrilling East Asia Super League (EASL) Home And Away Season 2 game at the Philsports Arena Wednesday night.
Mitchell scored 11 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter as he willed the Bolts back from an 11-point deficit to escape away with the dramatic win in his debut game with the franchise.
His split from the free throw line in the last 6.4 seconds proved to be the game winner as Heo Ung’s desperate heave from the backcourt fell short at the buzzer.
The 32-year-old American-Panamanian also added 22 rebounds and four assists in a 36-minute performance without a turnover.
“This guy (Mitchell) led us with his big rebounds. The nice thing about bringing Akil is he’s a professional, he’s been around, and he knows how to win just like our former import Allen Durham,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo of Mitchell, who took over the spot of the 36-year-old Durham following his retirement.
Mitchell will reinforce Meralco in the coming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Bolts also got solid contributions from second import DJ Kennedy, who had 14 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, and the trio of Chris Newsome, Ange Kouame, and Bong Quinto, who each had eight points.
But Quinto had a big say in the fourth quarter comeback as his three pointer with 31 seconds to go tied the game at 80-all after the Bolts trailed by as many as 64-53 late in the third, and 72-63 early in the fourth.
The Bolts, reigning PBA Philippine Cup champions, improved to a 2-1 record in Group B, surpassing their win-loss record in their first stint in the regional league last season.
“Big win for us. I think this is the first time that we’ve gotten two wins. And obviously, more games ahead of us,” added Trillo.
Former NBA player Deonte Burton, who had stints with Oklahoma and Sacramento, finished with 26 points, nine rebounds, and five assists before fouling out in the final four minutes for Busan KCC, which fell to its second straight loss on the road for a 0-2 record.
The comeback win by Meralco softened the impact of San Miguel’s 101-85 loss to Taoyuan Pilots of the P.League+ in the first game of a doubleheader.
The Beermen were badly outscored in the second quarter by the Taiwan-based team, 28-13, on their way to their second straight loss in Group A.
The Pilots raised their record to 2-0 on top of the same bracket.
