(CNN Philippines) — Meralco Bolts outlasted Purefoods Star Hotshots, 83-81, in their Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup match at the Cuneta Astrodome Sunday (May 17).
The Bolts improved to a pedestrian 2-2 win-loss record, while the Hotshots reeled to their second loss in three games.
Meralco coach Norman Black believed it was defense that kept the Bolts afloat, and it was evident in the final stretch of the see-saw battle.
PHOTOS: Purefoods vs. Meralco (Governors’ Cup)
It was a tight game the entire way, before three huge steals by the Bolts allowed them to take a 83-79 cushion on Danny Ildefonso’s undergoal basket with 1:08 to go.
But the Hotshots, the defending champions, refused to fold.
Alex Mallari scored on a layup in the ensuing possession. After that, Joe Devance and Marc Pingris forced Meralco import Andre Emmett to turn the ball over with five ticks to go.
Purefoods burned a full timeout and coach Tim Cone mapped out a play but the ball still ended up in the hands of import Marqus Blakely.
Blakely then missed a three-pointer as time expired.
“It’s really a big defensive effort for us today,” said Black. “We committed ourselves playing [defense] and it made a big difference tonight.”
Emmett topscored for Meralco with game-high 37 points on top of 15 rebounds, six assists, and five steals.
