MERALCO fell short of reaching the finals of the Fiba Asia Champions Cup after dropping a 79-74 decision to Petrochimi on Monday night at the Stadium 29 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

The Iranian side made the crucial breakaway midway through the fourth quarter, denying the Bolts an unlikely appearance in the finals.

National player Behnam Yakhchalidehkordi had 29 points and eight rebounds as Petrochimi relegated the Bolts to the consolation battle for third place.

Meralco will play either Alvark Tokyo or SK Knights in the battle for the bronze medal on Tuesday.

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The Bolts tied the game at 66-all on a three-pointer by Diamond Stone, but that turned out to be the team’s last stand as the Iran team went on a 6-0 run to pull away.

The closest Meralco got was two points after Reynel Hugnatan split his two free throws, 74-72, but Yakhchalidehkordi hit a jumper to maintain the separation.

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Allen Durham had 27 points and 11 rebounds while Stone added 15 points. Garvo Lanete had 12 points to lead the Meralco locals.

The scores:

Petrochimi 79 – Yakhchalidehkordi 29, Mashayekhi 15, Kardoustpoustinsaraei 10, Pazrofteh 7, Naeini 6, Mirzaeitalarposhti 6, Abadi 5, Arghavan 1.

Meralco 74 – Durham 27, Stone 15, Lanete 12, Tolomia 9, Amer 5, Hugnatan 4, Atkins 2, Canaleta 0, Caram 0.

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Quarters: 18-16; 34-33; 55-54; 79-74.