Aaron Black delivered in the crunch as Meralco turned back a feisty TNT side, 124-117, in overtime to level their semifinal series in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City Sunday, March 26.
The sweet-shooting point guard scattered six of his 28 points in the extra period to put the Bolts to a comfortable 122-114 lead en route to evening their best-of-five affair at 1-1. It was a redemption of sorts for Black, who turned the ball over in the last 11.3 seconds in the regulation that allowed the Tropang Giga to extend the match following a split charity from Ronday Hollis Jefferson. Black said the team finally rediscovered their touch particularly in their defense after a lackluster Game 1 performance where they absorbed a 110-80 thrashing. “Last game medyo slow kami, we didn’t get our rhythm. This game, gusto talaga namin to move the ball, to get back on defense kasi nga TNT’s a really good offensive team so we really want to get on defense and make sure that TNT didn’t get a lot of fastbreaks,” said Black, who finished with a double-double effort by also dishing off 10 assists apart from hauling five rebounds. So tight was their defense that the Bolts outrebounded the Tropang Giga, 64-48. Import KJ McDaniels also regained his fiery form for Meralco by pumping in 39 points, grabbing 20 rebounds and swatting away three blocks, while Hodge chipped in 15 points and nine boards. For a moment, Meralco appeared to be dictating the pace after leading 59-49 at the half, but TNT slowly displayed its usual blazing offense by outscoring the Bolts in the third period, 37-27, to tie the match at 86-all. Meralco tried to regain the upperhand and was actually leading 112-109 with 26.4 ticks left in the regulation, but costly turnovers allowed TNT to extend the match. Then it was Black’s time to shine. Mikey Williams scored 29 points, while Hollis-Jefferson added 27 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in a losing cause for TNT.
*Aaron Black spearheads Meralco to even their series against TNT, 1-1. (PBA Images)
*The sweet-shooting point guard scattered six of his 28 points in the extra period to put the Bolts to a comfortable 122-114 lead en route to evening their best-of-five affair at 1-1. It was a redemption of sorts for Black, who turned the ball over in the last 11.3 seconds in the regulation that allowed the Tropang Giga to extend the match following a split charity from Ronday Hollis Jefferson. Black said the team finally rediscovered their touch particularly in their defense after a lackluster Game 1 performance where they absorbed a 110-80 thrashing. “Last game medyo slow kami, we didn’t get our rhythm. This game, gusto talaga namin to move the ball, to get back on defense kasi nga TNT’s a really good offensive team so we really want to get on defense and make sure that TNT didn’t get a lot of fastbreaks,” said Black, who finished with a double-double effort by also dishing off 10 assists apart from hauling five rebounds. So tight was their defense that the Bolts outrebounded the Tropang Giga, 64-48. Import KJ McDaniels also regained his fiery form for Meralco by pumping in 39 points, grabbing 20 rebounds and swatting away three blocks, while Hodge chipped in 15 points and nine boards. For a moment, Meralco appeared to be dictating the pace after leading 59-49 at the half, but TNT slowly displayed its usual blazing offense by outscoring the Bolts in the third period, 37-27, to tie the match at 86-all. Meralco tried to regain the upperhand and was actually leading 112-109 with 26.4 ticks left in the regulation, but costly turnovers allowed TNT to extend the match. Then it was Black’s time to shine. Mikey Williams scored 29 points, while Hollis-Jefferson added 27 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists in a losing cause for TNT.