NORMAN BLACK waited for 58 minutes before lighting up his coaching career at Meralco.
The Bolts drew power from their frontline in beating Barako Bull in double overtime, 112-108, to give Black a sizzling debut in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Big men Reynel Hugnatan, Cliff Hodge and new recruit Sean Anthony dished out solid games in helping Meralco win its opening game while spoiling Koy Banal’s own debut with the Energy.
Hugnatan had a game-high 28 points, spiked by a 10-of-10 shooting from the free-throw line—including the last two in the final 4.1 seconds of second overtime—that sealed the Bolts’ victory.
Hodge was also huge with 10 points and 16 rebounds, and had a crucial jumper from the corner off a Gary David pass that gave Meralco a 110-105 cushion with 19.2 seconds left.
RR Garcia made a trey from the corner for Barako Bull in the ensuing play to cut the lead to 108-110, but Hugnatan cemented the victory with two bonus shots off Mick Pennisi.
“That was a well-earned victory for us. We really worked hard to get that win,” said Black, who was shipped from Talk ‘N Text. “It’s a good start for us. It’s the start we’re looking for. We’ll just try to continue to get better and it’s still a matter of improving our execution.”
Anthony chipped in 14 points, nine rebounds and three steals before fouling out. John Wilson (13) and Simon Atkins (10) also hit double figures for the Bolts.
It was a tough loss for the Energy, who led by as many as 15 points in the first half, rallied in the first overtime with Chico Lanete hitting a floater to send the game to an extra five mintues more, 101-all.
A 9-4 exchange capped by Hodge’s jumper gave the Bolts a 110-105 lead and Hugnatan sealed the win with those two pressure-packed free throws.
Lanete led Barako Bull with 21 points, with JC Intal adding 20. Willy Wilson had 16, Miranda 15 and Garcia 14 for Banal, who was named head coach of the Energy three days before the season started replacing Siot Tanquingcen.