MERALCO lost steam in the homestretch again to go down against Alvark Tokyo, 84-73, and on the verge of outright elimination for a semi-finals berth in the FIBA Asia Champions Cup Friday at Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Alex Kirk posted double-doubles of 23 points and 11 rebounds, while Daiki Tanaka added 17 and took charge late in the game to stop on track a rallying Meralco five.
Japan's reigning B. League champions remained undefeated at 2-0 record, including an 87-76 thumping of defending champion Al-Riyadi on opening night, to fuel its bid for one of two semifinals berths at stake in Group B.
The prospect is not as rosy for the undermanned Bolts.
Despite the monster efforts of imports Allen Durham and Diamond Stone, Meralco suffered its second straight loss and is danger of being relegated in the classification phase.
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The Bolts lost their opening game against Mono Vampire of the host country, 100-92.
A win by Mono Vampire over Al-Riyadi late Friday night will formally end Meralco's semifinals bid. The team faces Al-Riyadi in its final game in the group stage on Saturday night.
Durham put up big numbers of 31 points and 12 rebounds even as Stone had 28 points and eight rebounds.
The 30-year-old Durham carried the Bolts back from an 11-point deficit to tie the game at 60-all on back-to-back baskets by the two-time PBA Best Import and guard Baser Amer.
But like in their lost to Mono Vampire, the Bolts imploded down the stretch as Tanaka hit one big baskets after another.
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The Japanese shooting guard scored on a lay-up and then nailed a huge three-pointer to spark a 15-6 run that gave Alvark total control, 75-66.
Compounding their woes, the Bolts failed to get scoring mileage from their locals none among them finished in double figures.
Reynel Hugnatan was the best local scorer for Meralco with six points, followed by Amer with five.
In other opening day results, Petrochimi of Iran drubbed SK Knights of Korea, 77-62, while Pauian of Taiwan routed the Liaoning Flying Leopards, 106-62, in Group A action.
Meanwhile, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expressed disappointment on FIBA's decision not to allow Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge to play as locals for Meralco.
SBP president and Meralco PBA board representative Al Panlilio said both Newsome and Hodge have long been members of the team and should have been considered eligible to suit up.
Panlilio said the Champions Cup is a tournament for top club teams in Asia, and therefore the same eligibility rules being followed by FIBA for players to represent their national team should not be applied.
"We were very hopeful that we could compete at a high-level with the two guys on board. Imagine our disappointment when they were not recognized as local players," said Panlilio in a statement.(RG)
