Chris Newsome (with ball) comes through for Meralco. —PBA IMAGES
In a game full of haymakers from start to complete, Meralco nipped Magnolia, 105-102, in extra time of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
The fourth-seeded Bolts, who lost their twice-to-beat advantage after falling to the Hotshots in Game 1, thus clinched a semifinals of the import-laden conference, where they’ll face either TNT or NLEX.
“They beat us two times, could’ve been a 3rd tonight,” said coach Luigi Trillo.
“This win is a testament to how the boys responded for us. They were told at halftime that we were right there, and eventually these guys pulled through.”
Costly miss
In extra time, with the rating tied at 100-all, Bong Quinto—who struggled mightily early in the sport—knocked down a midrange jumper to provide Meralco a 102-100 lead with 37.9 seconds remaining.
Jerom Lastimosa, who had played hero for a lot of the extra period, missed a costly free throw that left Magnolia trailing, 102-101.
Meralco drew split charities from Quinto and CJ Cansino for a 104-101 lead. A costly turnover by Lastimosa on Magnolia’s next possession ultimately kept the sport out of reach for the Hotshots.
Meralco led by five late within the fourth quarter, 84-79, before Magnolia unleashed an 8-3 run to tie the sport at 87-all with 2:41 remaining.
Chris Newsome then took matters into his own hands for the Bolts, scoring on the 1:05 mark before Lastimosa answered with a triple to place Magnolia ahead, 90-89, with lower than a minute left.
“For us, it was about showing heart, going out and playing every possession prefer it was our last,” said Newsome, who finished with 18 points and five assists.
“You will have to find a way to execute well in playoff basketball. I’m glad our guys stuck to it today.”
Timely triple
When Magnolia appeared to have the momentum, the Bolts turned to Quinto for a timely triple that pushed Meralco back in front, 92-90, with 29.5 seconds to go.
Lastimosa, who finished with 28 points, refused to go quietly, converting a breakaway layup to tie the sport at 92-all with 9.6 seconds remaining.
With a likelihood to win it in regulation, Newsome launched a brief jumper that missed by inches, sending the sport into extra time.
Marvin Jones finished just shy of a double-double with 28 points and nine rebounds. Cansino and Cliff Hodge added 18 and 16 points, respectively, for the Bolts.
Clint Chapman and Mark Barroca scored 26 and 22 points, respectively, within the Magnolia loss. INQ