MANILA – Defending champion San Mig Coffee unreeled a 7-2 run in the final minutes to hold off Meralco, 76-71, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

According to the PBA website, Denzel Bowles led the Mixers with a game-high 23 points, firing 10 in the crucial fourth quarter for San Mig Coffee’s fourth win in eight games.

James Yap provided added boost with 19 points, stepping up for Joe Devance and Alex Mallari who had to bail out midway the game because of injuries.

Import Eric Dawson paced Meralco with 20 points, 13 rebounds and four steals.

Chris Ross also tallied his first triple double of 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, but these weren’t enough to save the Bolts from suffering their fourth defeat in eight games.

Meralco was leading in the first two quarters with the three-way effort of Ross, Reynel Hugnatan and Cliff Hodge.

But San Mig Coffee’s stifling defense limited Meralco to just 13 points in the fourth quarter.

Mark Cardona, who averages 11 points per game, was held scoreless on 0-of-8 field-goal shooting.

The Mixers also took control of the boards, outrebounding the Bolts 55 to 43.

Box scores:

San Mig Coffee 76 – Bowles 23, Yap 19, Simon 9, Pingris 7, Mallari 6, Devance 6, Barroca 2, Najorda 2, Reavis 2, De Ocampo 0.

Meralco 71 – Dawson 20, Hodge 14, Ross 10, Hugnatan 8, Artadi 6, Salvacion 6, Reyes 5, Buenafe 2, Manuel 0, Guevarra 0, Cardona 0, Sharma 0.

Quarterscoring: 15-25; 34-38; 56-58; 76-71