Bolts outlast Energy in 2OT

Games Friday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

4:15 p.m. – Talk n Text vs NLEX

7 p.m. – Blackwater vs Rain or Shine

MANILA, Philippines – Meralco made a triumphant maiden game under coach Norman Black as the Bolts gutted it out through regulation play and in 10 extra minutes to carve out a 112-108 win over Barako Bull in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday night.

Bereft of big stars and composed mostly of scrappy players, the Bolts outlasted the Energy in a double-overtime battle, somehow proving their perfect 6-0 win-loss showing in the offseason was no fluke.

In-between games Wednesday night, the league held the ring ceremony for Season 39 grand slam champion Purefoods Star (formerly San Mig Coffee).

Reynel Hugnatan came through with a career-high 28 points with five other Meralco players adding double-digit outputs as they won their first game in this tourney where they finished ninth last season.

“It’s a good start for us, one that we looked for,” said the new Meralco bench chieftain, a champion coach with San Miguel Beer, Sta. Lucia Realty and Talk n Text.

“Well-earned victory. We had to work to get the win. Obviously, Barako was very inspired by their new coach. They came out with a lot of fire,” Black also said.

The Energy led by as many as 15 points in the first half but succumbed to lapses and errors in the crunch and thus dropped their debut against coach Koy Banal, a replacement to Siot Tanquingcen on the eve of the season.

Misunderstanding between the management and Tanquingcen reportedly led to the surprise sacking of the coach.

But despite lack of preparation under Banal, the Energy fought competitively, even getting the chance to win the game in regulation play, but Mick Pennisi blew it away on an errant inside pass in the closing seconds.

In the first overtime, Chico Lanete eluded defender John Wilson with a double crossover move then made an awkward layup off Hugnatan to send the game into second extra period.

Then Hugnatan, Wilson and Cliff Hodge gave Meralco a key 7-2 start in second OT, and the Bolts eventually foiled the Energy.

“We’re still learning one another and trying to get better. We’ll try to improve execution and hopefully we pick up wins,” said Black.

Hugnatan went 9-of-15 from the field as he surpassed his previous high of 24 set with Alaska Milk. He also laced his big game with seven rebounds and one block against three errors.

Hodge chalked up 16 rebounds and 10 points, Sean Anthony also had a near double-double game with 14 markers and nine boards while Wilson, Simon Atkins and John Ferriols added a combined output of 33 points.

Lanete and JC Intal paced the losing team with 21 and 20, respectively.