Meralco Bolts stun San Miguel in Game 1 of 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals
The 2024 PBA Philippine Cup Finals got off to a shocking start as the Meralco Bolts defied expectations and pulled off a thrilling 93-86 victory over the heavily favored San Miguel Beermen in Game 1 at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night.
This win marks a significant upset for Meralco, making their first-ever appearance in the All-Filipino Finals a truly memorable one.
The Bolts proved they can compete toe-to-toe with the mighty San Miguel, shaking their dominance and rewriting the script for the best-of-seven series.
Meralco’s success stemmed from a collective effort. Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero spearheaded the offensive attack, each contributing 18 points, showcasing their scoring prowess and playmaking abilities.
Cliff Hodge anchored the defense with a monstrous 15 rebounds, including a remarkable 9 offensive boards. Other key contributors included Allein Maliksi, Bong Quinto, and rookie Brandon Bates, solidifying Meralco’s overall performance.
While June Mar Fajardo put up a valiant effort with 23 points and 10 rebounds, the Beermen’s offense sputtered in the final quarter, managing only 14 points compared to Meralco’s consistent scoring throughout the game.
CJ Perez and Marcio Lassiter were the only other San Miguel players to reach double-digits in scoring, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the inspired Bolts.
With the momentum in their favor, Meralco will be aiming to capitalize on their Game 1 victory and secure a commanding 2-0 lead when the series resumes on Friday, June 7th, at 7:30 PM at the Araneta Coliseum.
