Games today:

(Ynares Center)

5 p.m. — NLEX vs Blackwater

7:30 p.m. — Terrafirma vs NorthPort

Akil Mitchell drained the game-winning basket with 1.3 seconds remaining to complete Meralco’s comeback from 23 points down and stun Phoenix, 111-109, for an opening day escape in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Clamping down on defense after allowing the Fuel Masters to score 73 points in the first half, the undermanned Bolts patiently chipped away Phoenix’s lead before pouring it all out in the last two minutes of the fourth for the thrilling windup.

Bong Quinto gave Meralco its first taste of the lead, 106-105, with a triple in the last 2:11 of the game. Both teams traded baskets before Fuel Masters import Donovan Smith tied it at 109 with a strong drive with 16 ticks remaining.

Mitchell answered with the go-ahead floater after freezing the defense of Ken Tuffin with a pump-fake before letting it fly over the outstretched hand of Smith. Phoenix tried to salvage the game but Jason Perkins came up short on his jumper off a timeout.

“Collectively, just proud of the guys. In the first half, I thought we’re overpassing. Sometimes in the game, you could see that some guys are free but they’re hesitant,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said.

The Bolts’ vaunted defense, which brought the club success in ruling last season’s Philippine Cup, spelled the difference in the second half.

Meralco limited Phoenix to just 36 points in the last two quarters and even outscored the Fuel Masters, 33-18, in the final canto.

“But defensively it was big for us, 73 in that first half, third quarter only 18 points,” said Trillo, whose squad missed the services of injured Brandon Bates, Allein Maliksi, Chris Banchero, CJ Cansino and Jolo Mendoza.

Mitchell finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds, Newsome had 23 markers and six assists while Aaron Black, back after recovering from a right knee surgery, chipped in 15 points, eight boards and five assists in 29 minutes of action for the Bolts.