Meralco rallies past Busan behind new import
Meralco Bolts celebrate a win over KBL’s Busan KCC Egis in the East Asia Super League (EASL). –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
New import Akil Mitchell knocked down the marginal free throw with six seconds left and Meralco completed its comeback to defeat South Korea’s Busan KCC Egis, 81-80, Wednesday in the East Asia Super League at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The reinforcement tapped for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup came through after being fouled in a looseball situation and the visiting Egis in penalty as the Bolts improved to 2-1 in Group B of the regional competition.
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Mitchell finished with 33 points and 22 rebounds, providing a glimpse of what to expect for the PBA’s midseason tournament slated to start later this month.
READ: EASL: Meralco Bolts to size up Panamanian hire vs Busan
Bong Quinto knocked down the tying three for Meralco before Busan’s Heo Ung missed a shot that resulted in a foul on import Leon Williams while he and Mitchell were battling for the rebound.
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New Meralco Bolts import Akil Mitchell in action during an East Asia Super League (EASL) game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
After Mitchell split his charities, missing the second try, Busan couldn’t convert a desperate three as time expired as Meralco already exceeded its one win total from last season’s EASL campaign.
The Bolts moved to second place behind the unbeaten Ryukyu Golden Kings (2-0) of Japan’s B.League and ahead of third-running Macau Black Bears (2-2).
READ: EASL: Meralco’s comeback attempt falls short vs Ryukyu
Second import DJ Kennedy added 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Bolts.
Meralco averted another defeat for the PBA clubs in the rare EASL doubleheader after San Miguel Beer was pummeled by Taiwan’s Taoyuan Pilots in the opener.
Import Deonte Burton scored 26 points but fouled in the fourth, leaving Busan without its top scorer the rest of the way.
Naturalized player Ange Kouame, who was selected to the 15-man pool of Gilas Pilipinas for the upcoming window of the Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers, posted eight points and six rebounds for the Bolts.
