Meralco survives all-Filipino Magnolia squad to hike PBA record to 5-1

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Meralco Bolts had to dig deep to repel a Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados team that played without an import, 82-74, in the ongoing PBA Governor’s Cup on September 7, 2024, at the Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Sports, and Cultural Center in Davao del Norte.

Magnolia, who was supposed to play with a new reinforcement, former NBA scorer Shabazz Muhammad, was dealt a huge blow as the hefty leftie is still waiting for his Letter of Clearance (LOC) from FIBA.

Without a presented and declared LOC, Muhammad still can’t suit up for the Chicken Timplados, the reason why he had to sit out in their scheduled game against Meralco.

Magnolia’s lack of import immediately left them struggling in the game, as Meralco’s Allen Durham was dominating the shaded lane that gave the Bolts the early momentum in the road game.

No matter what double team Magnolia head coach Chito Victolero deployed, Durham was just unstoppable and was wise to kick out the extra pass to find his open teammates.

Just when Meralco thought they could keep up with their pace in the first three quarters, the Chicken Timplados suddenly caught fire in the final quarter to inch close in the game.

Baskets from Zavier Lucero and Paul Lee lifted Magnolia’s chances as they trimmed their deficit to just four points, 74-70.

However, Chris Newsome stunned the Chicken Timplados after taking over the game, burying several perimeter jumpers that widened their gap once again.

Durham and Chris Banchero also joined hands to neutralize Magnolia’s hot shooting as they anchored the Meralco perimeter defense in the final two minutes of the game.

It was not only Magnolia who was dealing with a lack of personnel as Meralco is still short due to the absences of Aaron Black, Cliff Hodge, Raymond Almazan, and Allein Maliksi.

Durham finished the victory with another double-double outing of 15 points and 15 rebounds while Newsome added 10 markers in the low-scoring affair.