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With big shoes to fill following the departure of longtime import Allen Durham, Akil Mitchell delivers as Meralco stays unbeaten at home in the East Asia Super League
MANILA, Philippines – Akil Mitchell passed his first Meralco test with flying colors.
Churning out a monster double-double, Mitchell also sank the game-winning free throw as the Bolts turned back the Busan KCC Egis, 81-80, in the East Asia Super League at the PhilSports Arena on Wednesday, November 13.
Mitchell produced 33 points and 22 rebounds in his debut for Meralco, helping the team get back on track after the Bolts absorbed a 77-74 loss to Japan B. League club Ryukyu Golden Kings in October.
That loss marked the final game of Allen Durham in a Meralco uniform as the Bolts’ longtime import retired from the PBA.
With big shoes to fill, Mitchell did not disappoint.
“The nice thing about bringing Akil is he is a professional, he knows how to win, just like our former import, Allen Durham,” said Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo.
Mitchell poured one-third of his scoring output in the fourth quarter, including back-to-back three-point plays that knotted the score at 75-75 with 3:25 minutes left.
The reigning champion in the Korean Basketball League, Busan regained the upper hand and grabbed an 80-77 lead off a Leon Williams jumper with under a minute remaining.
But the Bolts held their nerve, tying the game at 80-80 thanks to a Bong Quinto triple and forcing Heo Ung to miss a potential go-ahead three-pointer.
Fouled by Williams after hauling down the rebound with six ticks left, Mitchell drained his first free throw and missed the second, leaving the Egis no choice but to run the length of the court for a shot at the game-winner.
The stifling Meralco defense then pushed Heo to settle for a half-court heave that hit only the backboard as time expired.
DJ Kennedy backstopped Mitchell with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, while Quinto finished with 8 points.
Chris Newsome and Ange Kouame also chimed in 8 points each for the Bolts, who improved to 2-1 in Group B and remained unbeaten at home.
Deonte Burton starred for KCC with 26 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, with his 22 first-half points allowing the Egis to grab a 53-42 halftime lead.
But Burton got limited to just 4 points in the last two quarters and fouled out with four minutes remaining as KCC slipped to 0-2.
Meralco has enjoyed a promising start in the EASL unlike fellow PBA team San Miguel, which remained winless following a 101-85 defeat at the hands of Taiwan’s Taoyuan Pauian Pilots.
The Scores
Meralco 81 – Mitchell 33, Kennedy 14, Quinto 8, Newsome 8, Kouame 8, Hodge 6, Banchero 4, Caram 0.
Busan 80 – Burton 26, Heo 14, Lee G. 14, Williams 9, Lee S. 9, Jung 6, Lee H. 2, Yeo 0, Epistola 0.
Quarters: 20-26, 42-53, 63-68, 81-80.
– Rappler.com
