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PBA: Depleted Meralco fends off late rally to down Blackwater

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/tvpatrol/12/20/pba.jpg"/><figcaption>Baser Amer (17 points, 12 assists) and Meralco withstood a late comeback attempt by Blackwater to notch its first win of the season. PBA Media Bureau</figcaption></figure></div>Niño Canaleta scored 9 of his 25 points in the breakaway third quarter and later the insurance points in the game&#x27;s waning seconds, as Meralco defeated Blackwater 103-98 in the PBA Philippine Cup at Cuneta Astrodome on Friday.After Mike DiGregorio&#x27;s 3-pointer made it 54-50 for Blackwater, Meralco ran off 19 straight points in a span of 4 minutes to go up 69-54 in the third.The Bolts held on to a 95-80 lead with 4:15 left in the game, but it was far from a wrap.Blackwater countered with a 15-2 run to come within 98-95 with 33 seconds to go.Canaleta and Allein Maliksi then exchanged 3-pointers, before two free throws by Canaleta secured the win.&quot;We made some big shots down the stretch . . . but I&#x27;d like to give special mention to KG (Canaleta) who was exceptional for us tonight,&quot; said Meralco coach Norman Black.Canaleta, who played for Blackwater in the past season, was signed by Meralco to fill a vacancy in its injury-depleted frontline.He responded with one of his best performances in a long time. On top of tallying a game-high total in points, Canaleta finished with 8 rebounds, 5 3-pointers, 2 blocks and 9-of-14 shooting from the field.Baser Amer added 17 points and 12 assists, while Jared Dillinger contributed 15 points and 11 assists for Meralco.Jason Ballesteros, another emergency pickup by the Bolts, registered 12 rebounds and 6 points.Allein Maliksi and rookie Raymar Jose each finished with 16 points to lead Blackwater. JP Erram contributed 11 points, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks. Black heaved a sigh of relief in picking up a win, as Meralco has been known to struggle in the Philippine Cup. The Bolts are a combined 4-18 in the past two tournaments.&quot;It&#x27;s all-Filipino. It&#x27;s nice to get off a good start. We have San Miguel Beer next so that will be a real good challenge,&quot; said the Meralco coach.<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.</div>

Meralco defeated Blackwater 103-98 in the PBA Philippine Cup at Cuneta Astrodome on Friday.

Meralco defeated Blackwater 103-98 in the PBA Philippine Cup at Cuneta Astrodome on Friday.