Meralco beat Al Riyadi by 33, enter semifinals of FIBA Asia Champions Cup
After an 0-2 start in the 2018 FIBA Asia Champions Cup, Meralco Bolts finally won a game and also clinched a semifinals slot after defeating defending champions Al Riyadi of Lebanon, 96-63.
Garvo Lanete and import Diamond Louis Stone led Meralco with 20 points each while Nino Canaleta scored 18 points going 4 out of 6 from the three-point line. Allen Durham with 10 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
The short handed Bolts were without Ranidel de Ocampo and Jared Dillinger due to injuries and also Cliff Hodge and Chris Newsome who were not allowed by FIBA to play as locals since they applied the rule on players should have their local passports before turning 16 years old.
Meralco was tied with Mono Vampire and Al Riyadi in the standings with a 1-2 record in the elimination round but with a superior quotient after the 33-point win, they barge in the semifinals and will face the undefeated Petrochimi of Iran on October 1.
Game Scores:
Meralco 96 – Stone 20, Lanete 20, Canaleta 18, Caram 11, Durham 10, Amer 8, Atkins 5, Tolomia 3, Salva 2, Hugnatan 0, Jamito 0.
Al Riyadi 63 – Bawji 19, Lyons 14, Saoud 9, El Nour 17, Abdelnour 7, El Kaissi 4, Ziade 3, Akl 3, El Khatib 2, Kodsi 2.
Quarterscores: 23-26, 49-33, 72-49, 96-63.
Photo from fiba.basketball
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