Meralco falls short to SK Knights in battle for third
MERALCO missed the mark regarding a platform complete in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup after a nearby 91-87 misfortune to SK Knights of Korea consigned the group to a fourth place complete Tuesday night at Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand. The Bolts raged once again from a 11-direct second from last quarter shortfall toward make a diversion out of it in the homestretch, yet by one means or another neglected to finish the rally as the Knights proceeded to secure third place. The elimination rounds spell by Meralco however, enhanced the fifth place wrap up by Gilas-Chooks To Go group in a year ago's release of the competition highlighting top business ballclubs in Asia. Altogether, the Bolts topped their crusade with a 1-4 record, their sole win dropping by method for a 96-63 defeat of ousted champion Al-Riyadi of Lebanon that secured for them a compartment in the elimination rounds. They lost to Petrochimi in the Final Four, 79-74. Huge import Diamond Stone delivered 32 focuses and 13 bounce back for Meralco, which additionally got 21 and nine bounce back from Allen Durham, and 15 from hot-shooting KG Canaleta, all of which he scored from three-point run. Yet, the Knights demonstrated steadier down the stretch behind the opportune snipings of Bukyung Choi, incorporating one in the last 56 seconds that made it a 88-83 amusement for the Knights. The Bolts likewise neglected to underwrite the fouling out of Knights import DaJuan Summers in the last 3:36 and the Korean ballclub driving, 82-76. Summers completed with 26 focuses, seven bounce back, and four helps. Youngjun A had 17 focuses and Minsoo Kim 14 for the Knights, who lost to Alvark Tokyo in the semis Monday night, 78-54. Petrochimi of Iran and Alvark Tokyo fight it out for the title in a victor take-all finale. In the mean time, Al-Riyadi directed Liaoning Flying Leopards, 102-75, to complete seventh place, while have group Mono Vampire made due with fifth place after it edged Pauian of Taipei, 97-96. (GR)
