ANTIPOLO - Chris Newsome scored a transition lay-up with 3.9 seconds to save Meralco from to a monumental collapse against Blackwater, 116-114, on Tuesday in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
Newsome’s basket off a fastbreak after Blackwater blew two chances at a go-ahead basket saved the day for the Bolts, who led by as many as 17 points but saw the Bossing tie the game, 114-114, on four straight RK Ilagan points.
Meralco picked up its second straight win to improve to 2-1 (win-loss) while playing with fill-in import Antonio Hester, who led the Bolts with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and three assists.
Blackwater's first loss after three games wasted the big offensive numbers of Sedrick Barefield, Kentrell Barkley, and Ilagan.
Newsome’s last-gasp shot was off an assist by Chris Banchero, who was one of those responsible for the Bolts taking command in the second half.
Banchero finished with 16 points including 3-of-4 from fours, one of which giving the Bolts their biggest lead at 18, 110-92.
Antonio Hester got things going for Meralco with 24 of his 25 points in the first half, while also snaring 12 rebounds in the win.
“You have to give Blackwater credit, they had no quit,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said.
“That’s a testament to what Coach Pat (Aquino) is doing there. They are playing really good.”
“Good na lang that we were able to shoot that last shot by New. But again, you credit Blackwater."
Barefield had 29 points, Barkley had 28 points, and Ilagan had 20, with the three players producing in the 33-18 fourth quarter by Blackwater.
Ilagan nailed a jumper with 1:31 left to tie the count, but the Bossing couldn’t connect after that. A missed shot by Barkley led to Banchero securing the rebound and leading to a fastbreak finish by Newsome.
The scores:
Meralco 116 – Hester 25, Banchero 16, Newsome 16, Cansino 15, Hodge 14, Maliksi 8, Quinto 7, Black 6, Brickman 5, Mocon 2, Bates 2.
Blackwater 114 – Barefield 29, Barkley 28, Ilagan 20, Panopio 11, Austria 9, Tratter 7, Demusis 4, Una 2, Murrell 2, Escoto 2, Mendoza 0, Cruz-Dumont 0.
Quarters: 26-29; 61-57; 98-81; 116-114.
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