Import Akil Mitchell and Bong Quinto delivered down the stretch as Meralco survived with a nail-biting 81-80 victory over visiting team Busan KCC of the Korean Basketball League in the 2024-’5 East Asia Super League at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 13. 

The Bolts showed character and unwavering resolve, erasing twin-digit deficit in the second half before Quinto nailed a clutch triple and Mitchell took care of the go-ahead free throw in the last six seconds to help Meralco steal the game and come away with its second win against a loss.

Mitchell exploded for 31 points – 11 of which he poured inside the last five minutes of the contest – to go with 22 rebounds as he gave a glimpse of what he could bring to the table for Meralco in the upcoming Commissioner’s Cup.

Fellow reinforcement DJ Kennedy had 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists to provide ample support as the Bolts also remained undefeated through two games at home after a 97-85 opening win over the Macau Black Bears at the Mall of Asia Arena last October.

Meralco never led in the second half except until the last six seconds as Busan kept the hosts on the rear behind the efforts of Deonte Burton who was scoring at will against the Bolts' tough defenders in the likes of Cliff Hodge and Chris Newsome.

The burly import, however, fouled out of the game in the fourth quarter, keeping the window open for the late comeback from Meralco.

The champions of the 2023-’24 KBL Season actually looked on their way to victory as they kept an eight-point barrier against the Filipinos, 75-67, midway through the payoff period.

Mitchell, however, had other things in mind as he went on a personal 8-0 run to tie the game. A triple from Heo Ung and jumper Leon Williams sandwiched another Mitchell layup in the ensuing possessions as the Koreans kept their head afloat, 80-77 with 52 ticks left.

That was when Quinto also stepped up and drilled the booming trey to tie the game. The Bolts had a crucial defensive stop as Mitchell was fouled in the waning seconds, sending him to the foul line. 

He split the charities but Busan had to go the length of the floor and did not have a clear attempt at the basket as the shot clock expired.

Burton paced Busan with 26 although he was held scoreless in the fourth before fouling out.

In the earlier game, San Miguel remained winless after absorbing 101-85 defeat in a highly emotional game against the visiting Taoyuan Pilots.

The Taiwanese pulled away in the second quarter after erupting for 32 points while limiting the hosts to just 13. With SMB down big, 86-68, in the final frame, tempers even flared as Jericho Cruz was thrown out of the game after landing a closed fist at Pilots import Alec Brown during a commotion.

Brown was one of the biggest thorns to the side of the Beermen, finishing with 27 points, alongside Treveon Graham who had 25.

Quincy Miller was the lone bright spot for SMB with 32 points while Don Trollano added 13.