Meralco suffered yet another power shortage in the second half and bowed out of contention after a 78-83 defeat at the hands of Broncos Ulaanbaatar of Magnolia in the quarterfinals of the Basketball Champions League Asia at the Coca-Cola Arena in United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, June 11.
Meralco sent packing by Mongolia's Broncos in BCL quarters
At A Glance
- Meralco suffered yet another power shortage in the second half and bowed out of contention after a 78-83 defeat at the hands of Broncos Ulaanbaatar of Magnolia in the quarterfinals of the Basketball Champions League Asia at the Coca-Cola Arena in United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, June 11.
The Bolts simply found no answer to the Broncos' searing 22-2 rally bridging the third and fourth quarters as the Mongolians created enough separation to weather a late fightback from the Filipinos.
Meralco was actually holding onto the lead, 55-48, late in the third frame but Broncos closed out the quarter with a back-breaking 13-0 run to take a 61-55 lead heading into the final frame.
With momentum on its side, Broncos opened the final frame on a 9-2 spurt to erect a 70-57 lead.
The Bolts, behind the efforts of Bong Quinto and import Jordon Vernado, battled back and came within two, 78-80, with 1:11 left. That, however, was the closest Meralco could get as Broncos proved to be steady on the foul line in the waning seconds.
Ian Bennett Miller was the biggest thorn to the side of Meralco, finishing with game-high 32 points to go with six assists.
Varnado paced the Bolts with 23 points and 14 rebounds while Glynn Watson added 22 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Quinto was the lone local player in double figures with 12.