Meralco Bolts celebrate a victory over Busan KCC Egis of KBL in the East Asia Super League (EASL). –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Newcomer Akil Mitchell knocked down the narrow free throw with six seconds left and Meralco completed its comeback, defeating South Korea’s Busan KCC Egis 81-80 in the East Asia Super League at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday.
The boost to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup came after a foul in a loose ball situation and a penalty against the visiting Egis as the Bolts improved to 2-1 in Group B of the regional competition.
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Mitchell finished the game with 33 points and 22 rebounds, giving a glimpse of what awaits him in the PBA’s midseason tournament, which is scheduled to begin later this month.
READ: EASL: Meralco Bolts look to assess Panamanian new signing against Busan
Bong Quinto scored the three-pointer for Meralco before Busan’s Heo Ung missed a shot that resulted in a foul on import player Leon Williams as he and Mitchell battled for the rebound.
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New Meralco Bolts import Akil Mitchell in action during an East Asia Super League (EASL) match. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
After Mitchell separated his charities and missed the second attempt, Busan failed to convert a desperate three-pointer as time expired as Meralco had already exceeded their one-win total from last season’s EASL campaign.
The Bolts moved into second place, behind the undefeated Ryukyu Golden Kings (2-0) of Japan’s B.League and ahead of the third-place Macau Black Bears (2-2).
READ: EASL: Meralco’s comeback attempt fails against Ryukyu
Sophomore import DJ Kennedy added 14 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals for the Bolts.
Meralco avoided another PBA defeat in the rare EASL doubleheader after San Miguel Beer was beaten by Taiwan’s Taoyuan Pilots in the opening game.
Import Deonte Burton scored 26 points but committed a foul in the fourth, leaving Busan without its leading scorer for the rest of the game.
Naturalized player Ange Kouame, who was selected to Gilas Pilipinas’ 15-man pool for the upcoming Fiba Asia Cup Qualifiers window, scored eight points and six rebounds for the Bolts.
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