Japan B.League’s Ryukyu Golden Kings and PBA’s Meralco Bolts clash in the East Asia Super League (EASL). –EASL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The second half proved to be Meralco’s kryptonite as the Bolts bowed to the Japan B.League team Ryukyu Golden Kings, 89-71, of the East Asia Super League at Philsports Arena on Wednesday.
The Bolts’ semifinals dreams grew dimmer as they dropped to a 2-3 record while the Golden Kings remained atop Group B with a dominant 5-1 card.
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Meralco initiually went pound for pound with Ryukyu in the early parts of the game, even trailing by just one at the end of the opening salvo, 23-22.
READ: Meralco Bolts eye clearer EASL Final Four path
After trailing the Golden Kings, 50-41, at the half the Bolts just lost steam and let the Japan B.League juggernauts pull away.
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Ryukyu, led by Victor Law, unloaded a 25-point third frame that ultimately kept the Bolts at bay and their playoff hopes further.
Meralco only scored 15 in the penultimate period.
Law led Ryukyu with an all-around game of 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals. The tandem of Alex Kirk and Keve Aluma also helped the cause with 19 and 18 points, respectively.
Cliff Hodge and reinforcement Ange Kouame led Meralco with 13 points but to no avail. Bolts star Chris Newsome scored 12 but in an ice-cold 44 percent shooting clip, sinking just four of his nine attempts from the field. Import Akil Mitchell did not play.
Meralco still has a slim shot of salvaging its semis hope but the Bolts will have to subdue the New Taipei Kings (3-2) on February 12 in enemy territory.
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