Saudi Gazette MANILA — The Mahindra Enforcers began their 2016 PBA Governors' Cup campaign on a rousing note with an emphatic 100-92 victory in overtime over the Star Hotshots Friday night. Unheralded 22-year-old import James White poured 18 of his 22 points in the second half and overtime period to lead the Enforcers while Aldrech Ramos added 17 markers. Mahindra's Asian import, Iranian Iman Zandi, also played a huge role in the upset victory, hitting a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc to finish with 15 points. Star's comebacking import Marqus Blakely posted 21 points, 15 rebounds and five assists, but these all went down the drain with the loss. Meralco 108, Phoenix 103 The Meralco Bolts weathered a fourth quarter storm unleashed by the Phoenix Fuel Masters to finally prevail, 108-103, to start off the season-ending PBA Governors' Cup. Import Allen Durham dominated both ends of the court, exploding for 32 points and 22 rebounds while Jimmy Alapag had 15 points and team-high six assists to lead Meralco. Three other Bolts scored in double digits with Jared Dillinger finishing with 15 points while Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge had 13 and 12 markers, respectively. Import Marcus Simmons led Phoenix with 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists. Alapag spearheaded Meralco's high-octane offense in the first half, banging in four three-pointers. The Bolts finished the half up by 13 points, 54-41. The Fuel Masters unleashed a 14-2 blast at the start of the third quarter as John Wuilson and Simon Enciso scored on a series of three-pointers. The Fuel Masters continued their long-range shooting streak in the fourth to finally grab the lead at 85-84. But Dillinger scored 10 of his points in the fourth quarter as Meralco regained the upper hand. Another booming triple from Enciso cut Meralco's lead down to 101-100. Durham then took care of business by scoring two successive baskets—a slam dunk and a putback to ensure Meralco's victory. Phoenix's most recent acquisition, former Alaska guard Cyrus Baguio, was in uniform but did not play. Games Saturday: Blackwater Elite vs. NLEX Road Warriors and Barangay Ginebra Kings vs. GlobalPort Batang Pier.
