By Jay R. Gotera
MANILA — Import Allen Durham erupted for 46 points to lift the Meralco Bolts to a dramatic 114-109 overtime victory over the Barangay Ginebra Kings in Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven finals Friday night.
Durham scored seven straight points in overtime, then dished an assist to Cliff Hodge who knocked down a dagger three-pointer that sealed the win.
The slippery import also posted 13 rebounds and seven assists, dominating his Ginebra counterpart, Justin Brownlee. The two are vying for the Best Import award this conference.
Rookie Chris Newsome also shone bright for the Bolts, nearly completing a triple-double with 17 points, nine rebounds and nine assist.
Reynel Hugnatan added 15 points and eight boards.
Jimmy Alapag chipped in 13 points, including two three-pointers that enabled him to tie the PBA’s all-time record for career three-pointers set by Allan Caidic.
The Bolts won despite a huge performance from Ginebra’s LA Tenorio, who exploded with a career-high 36 points.
The Kings appeared on their way to nailing their first win in the series when they led by 14 points, 74-60, after a 9-0 run in the third quarter.
But the Bolts went on a searing 13-4 run, including a buzzer-beating triple from Hugnatan to cut Ginebra’s lead to 80-75 to end the quarter.
Meralco finally grabbed the lead, 81-80, as the two sides fought on even terms.
But the Kings reasserted their might with a 16-4 run to once again take a double-digit lead at 96-85.
With the score tied at 98-all with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, Tenorio scored on a drive, 100-98, giving the lead back to Ginebra.
Alapag answered with a clutch three-pointer to put Meralco back on the driver’s seat, 101-100, with 33 seconds left.
After Brownlee missed two shots, Durham was fouled and was sent to the line. However, he split his charities.
Tenorio then attacked Meralco’s interior defense, tying the game, 102-all and forcing overtime.
It was all Durham in the extra period as the Bolts held steady for the win.
Game Sunday: Meralco Bolts Vs. Barangay Ginebra Kings (Game 2; best-of-7 finals; Meralco leads 1-0).
