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In Game 2, Meralco Bolts improved his chances of reaching the top 4 after eliminations and gaining a two-goal lead in the quarterfinals with an 85-78 decision over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. Magnolia followed Dyip until late in the second quarter when Aris Dionisio took advantage of a 3-pointer to push Magnolia forward, 48-46, with 15 seconds left at the half. The Hotshots padded that lead in the third to advance to the decisive victory. With the victory over the Dyip the Hotshots (4 wins, 4 losses) they consolidated in eighth place behind TNT (6-2), Barangay Ginebra (6-2), San Miguel Beermen (5-2), Phoenix Super LPG (5-3), Meralco (5-3), Rain or Shine (4-3) and Alaska Aces (5 wins, 4 losses). Outside of the top 8 and looking inward are NLEX Road Warriors (3-5), Blackwater Elite (2-5), NorthPort Batang Pier (1-6) and Terrafirma Dyip (0-7). Mark Borboran drilled consecutive triples that reduced Meralco’s lead to just 8 points, 82-74, with 1:04 to play. Meralco’s Nard Pinto flipped the ball over on a bad pass and the Elasto Pintores took possession with 58 seconds to go. Norbert Torres made two free throws that reduced Meralco’s lead to 6 points with 50 seconds to go. The Bolts had possession but were unable to time out after the Rain or Shine pressure defense forced the Bolts to burn 2 timeouts with 41 seconds left. Gabe Norwood, however, rescued the Bolts from time trouble by fouling while attempting a steal. The Elasto Painters were forced to foul Chris Newsome, who drained both free throws to push the Bolts to safety with an 8-point lead, 84-76, with just 32 seconds left. Free throws by Rain or Norbert Torres and Shine’s Newsome finished the count at 85-78. Meralco’s Baser Amer scored 14 points, dished out 7 assists and grabbed 6 rebounds to earn Player of the Game honors. He said the Bolts are determined to advance deeply into the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs. “Talagang’s motivation in naming makapasok sa playoffs. Sa last 5 years (of the Philippine Cup) hindi kami nakakapasok. Yun ang namin motivation. So it’s a long game that’s important, talaga dahil gusto, to name makapasok in the playoffs, ”Amer said. Scores: Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok 103 – Paul Lee 29, Rome Dela Rosa 17, Ian Sangalang 16, Jackson Corpuz 10, Aris Dionisio 9, Chris Banchero 8, Jio Jalalon 7, Justin Melton 3, Rafi Reavis 2, Marc Barroca 2, Alvin Abundo 0, Michael Calisaan 0. Terrafirma Dyip 89 – CJ Perez 19, Reden Celda 16, Eric Camson 14, Glenn Khobuntin 10, Juami Tiongson 9, Aldrech Ramos 6, JP Calvo 6, Roosevelt Adams 5, Joseph Gabayni 2, Bonbon Batiller 1, Philip Cahilig 1, Christian Balagasay 0. Quarterly scores: 17-18, 48-46, 76-60, 103-89. Scores: Meralco Bolts 85 – Chris Newsome 17, Baser Amer 14, Allein Maliksi 9, Bong Quinto 8, Cliff Hodge 8, Jammer Jamito 6, Aaron Black 5, Raymond Almazan 4, Nard Pinto 1, Trevis Jackson 0, Nico Salva 0 . Rain or Shine Elasto Painters 78 – James Yap 18, Beau Belga 11, Norbert Torres 11, Rey Nambatac 8, Mark Borboran 6, Adrian Wong 6, Vince Tolentino 6, Javee Mocon 5, Sydney Onwubere 3, Gabe Norwood 2, Jewel Ponferada 2 , Kris Rosales 0. Quarterly scores: 27-28, 46-44, 74-51, 85-78.
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