Meralco holds off Magnolia in OT, clinches semis spot

Chris Newsome (with ball) comes through for Meralco. —PBA IMAGES

In a game packed with haymakers from start to finish, Meralco nipped Magnolia, 105-102, in overtime 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 will face either TNT or NLEX.

“They beat us two times, could’ve been a third 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 overtime, with the score tied at 100-all, Bong Quinto—who struggled mightily early in the game—knocked down a midrange jumper to give Meralco a 102-100 lead with 37.9 seconds remaining.

Jerom Lastimosa, who had played hero for most 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 game out of reach for the Hotshots.

Meralco led by five late in the fourth quarter, 84-79, before Magnolia unleashed an 8-3 run to tie the game at 87-all with 2:41 remaining.

Chris Newsome then took matters into his own hands for the Bolts, scoring at the 1:05 mark before Lastimosa answered with a triple to put Magnolia ahead, 90-89, with less than a minute left.

“For us, it was about showing heart, going out and playing every possession like it was our last,” said Newsome, who finished with 18 points and five assists.

“You have to be able 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 game at 92-all with 9.6 seconds remaining.

With a chance to win it in regulation, Newsome launched a short jumper that missed by inches, sending the game into overtime.

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, in the Magnolia loss. INQ