Bolts keep hopes alive for a double advantage

Hope is eternal. The Meralco Bolts kept alive their hope of a two-time lead to beat in the quarterfinals when they survived NorthPort Batang Pier’s fierce comeback for a heart-stopping 80-73 victory yesterday, November 11, 2020 at the Angeles University Foundation . Sports stadium and cultural center with Smart 5G technology.

NorthPort’s Renz Subido and Kevin Ferrer each scored a 3-pointer to fuel a 16-2 streak that cut Meralco’s lead to just 5 points, 76-71, with 2:36 left in the game. Paolo Taha then received an alley-oop pass from Ferrer to convert a layup and cut Meralco’s lead to 3 points, 76-73, with 1:57 left. That was as close as the Batang Pier would get. Raymond Almazan converted a fast break layup to extend Meralco’s lead to 5 points, 78-73. Subido and Ferrer made repeated 3-point attempts that repeatedly failed allowing Meralco to escape with the victory. Meralco’s Chris Newsome scored two free throws to end the count, 80-73. Meanwhile, the NLEX Road Warriors, excluded from the playoffs, vented their anger against the unfortunate Terrafirma Dyip who posted a 127-101 demolition. Kiefer Ravena, as always, led the NLEX production with 23 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds. So Taulava, playing his last game in the PBA, scored 11 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, posted 3 blocks and gave 2 assists. With the victory, the Bolts (7 wins, 4 losses) earned at least a tie for a two-shot lead in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals. A tiebreaker will be calculated to determine the final ranking after they are played. the last two games of the conference. Dyip (1-10) finished the season with their usual place at the bottom of the standings and will be rewarded with a fourth consecutive overall pick in the next PBA Draft.

Leading the standings and with a two-goal lead are the Geneva Gin Kings (8-3). The other teams already qualified for the quarterfinals are Phoenix Super LPG (7-3), TNT Tropang Giga (7-4), Alaska Aces (7-4), San Miguel Beermen (7-4), Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (6 -4) and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-4). Left out and looking in are NLEX (5-6), Blackwater Elite (2-8) and NorthPort (1-10). Bong Quinto finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists to earn Player of the Game honors for the Bolts. He attributed the proximity to the “PBA bubble” for better familiarity among Meralco players. “Perhaps the organization of our team is the reason for a better game. As we enter the bubble, we get to know each other better. Nata we translate it into the game. Coach Norman (Black) said, this is our moment. We are full. Raymond injury free (Almazan). The coach said we just trust each other, ”Quinto said during the post-game interview. Scores: Meralco Bolts 80 – Bong Quinto 14, Chris Newsome 11, Raymond Almazan 11, Baser Amer 10, Trevis Jackson 10, Jammer Jamito 6, Aaron Black 5, Bryan Faundo 4, Cliff Hodge 2, Nico Salva 2, Anjo Caram 2 , Nard Pinto 0, Raymar Jose 0. NorthPort Batang Pier 73 – Jervy Cruz 15, Paolo Taha 14, Kelly Nabong 14, Kevin Ferrer 9, Renz Subido 9, Bradwyn Guinto 7, Sean Manganti 2, LA Revilla 2, Nico Elorde 1. Quarterly scores: 23-14, 39-30, 67-50, 80-73.