[ad_1]
Chris Newsome scored a jump shot at the bell and Meralco escaped Terrafirma, 95-93, on Sunday afternoon to close in on the elusive place in the quarterfinals at the PBA Philippine Cup at the Sports and Cultural Center. of the Foundation of the University of Angeles.
Newsome produced the winner with a baseline shot from CJ Perez as the Bolts survived after blowing a 20-point lead in the first half to secure at least one tiebreaker for the eighth and fourth quarter.
Meralco improved to 6-4, in a good position to reach the Philippine Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 2015.
“Before this conference started, I thought this is the best Filipino team that I have coached since I was with Meralco and it is becoming a reality,” said Norman Black, who quickly added that the work is not done.
“But we still have one game left. We still have a game to go to get our first goal so we’ll focus on that, ”added Black, whose team faces NorthPort on Wednesday.
The Bolts can also earn a spot if the NLEX Road Warriors, in ninth place at 4-5, lose one of their last two games in eliminations.
Raymond Almazan had 15 points and 10 rebounds in his best game this season, while Bong Quinto had 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists.
Allein Maliksi and rookie Aaron Black each scored 11 points, even as little-used center Bryan Faundo filled the void left by Reynel Hugnatan, who rested due to a groin strain, scoring a season-high 10 points.
Meralco was leading 45-25 and was sailing when Terrafirma fell back.
It took Dyip a while to fix things when Perez and Juami Tiongson hit consecutive 3s for 93 overall, with less than a minute left to play.
Perez blocked Newsome’s shot at the other end, giving Terrafirma a chance to move on. Tiongson, however, missed a subsequent possession attempt that set up Newsome’s basket.
Pérez and Tiongson finished with 21 points each for Terrafirma, which fell to 1-8.
Scores:
MERALCO 95 – Almazan 15, Quinto 14, Newsome 12, Black 11, Maliksi 11, Faundo 10, Hodge 8, Amer 8, Jamito 6, Pinto 0, Salva 0.
TERRAFIRMA 93 – Perez 21, Tiongson 21, Cahilig 9, Camson 7, Cell 7, Adams 6, Calvo 5, Balagasay 4, Ramos 3, Agovida 2, Faundo 2, Gabayni 0, McCarthy 0.
Quarters: 29-17, 51-36, 76-66, 95-93.
SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY NEWSLETTER
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
