The Meralco Bolts started the third regular season of the East Asia Super League (EASL) with a 97-85 victory against the Macau Black Bears on Wednesday, October 2, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Chris Newsome scored 18 points while Allen Durham and David Kennedy both finished with 17 points as they led the way for the victory of the reigning PBA Philippine Cup champions.
A basket by Chris Banchero sparked the 12-point run that put Meralco ahead, 18-13, in the first quarter.
The Black Bears continued to hound the Bolts throughout the game and tied the score, 36-all, in the second period.
Meralco finally broke away in the final quarter after Newsome and Durham buried back-to-back three pointers to widen the gap, 86-72.
William Artino finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds while Jeantal Cylla also tallied 23 markers to pace Macau.
The Bolts will return to action on October 16 against the Japanese team Ryukyu Golden Kings in Okinawa, Japan.
