MANILA, Philippines -- The Meralco Bolts ran out of ammunition in the second half and bowed to the unblemished New Taipei Kings, 89-77, in East Asia Super League (EASL) action Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Bolts led by just five, 47-42, at the half when Allein Maliksi’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer was waved off.
New Taipei then unleashed 11 straight points capped by a tip-in by Kenny Manigault to take a 53-47 lead with 7:30 remaining in the third quarter.
Diego Dario ended the furious rally by the Kings with a 3-pointer as Meralco cut the lead to three, 50-53.
The newfound momentum by New Taipei was too much as the away team carried it to the final quarter.
The Bolts trailed by eight, 58-66, at the start of the final frame.
The lead grew to 15, 79-64, with a 3-pointer by Yang Chin-Min with exactly six minutes left.
Meralco cut the deficit to just eight, 83-75, with 2:27 remaining following a layup by Zach Lofton.
A Christian Anigwe put-back dunk sucked the air out of the Bolts’ lungs.
A pair of free throws by Jeremy Lin with a minute remaining brought the game out of reach, 87-75.
Five Kings finished in double figures in the dominant win.
Lin had a game-high 23 points, 10 rebounds and four assists for New Taipei.
Yang added 13 for the Kings, while Manigault chipped in 12.
Lin’s brother, Joseph, and Lee Kai-yan also finished in double-digits with 11 points each.
Lofton led the home squad with 20 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Maliksi chipped in 12 markers.
New Taipei is now holding a 3-0 win-loss slate. Meralco dropped to 1-4.