MERALCO continued to make strides with another solid showing in the Philippine Cup, making it to the semifinals even as two players had to go through the health and safety protocols. The Governors’ Cup campaign looks promising despite an import change prior to the conference. Meralco’s top stories of the year:
MERALCO ACQUIRES BELO
In a bid to shore up their frontline, the Bolts acquired Mac Belo last February in a trade with Blackwater for Baser Amer and Bryan Faundo. The former Far Eastern University standout normed 10.1 points and 5.2 rebounds in the Philippine Cup.
Chris Newsome's shot caps the Meralco rally from 13 points down.
COME-FROM-BEHIND WIN IN DHVSU
The Bolts figured in one of the most thrilling victories in the Philippine Cup, during the first day of the league’s resumption at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor. Meralco beat Magnolia, 95-94, on Sept. 1, erasing a 13-point deficit in the final two minutes. Chris Newsome provided the game-winner, knocking down a lay-up at the buzzer to complete the comeback.
TWO BOLTS ENTER SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Shortly after that dramatic win over the Hotshots, the Bolts went on a long layoff after Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge entered the league’s health and safety protocols. Meralco resumed its campaign on Sept. 16, defeating Terrafirma, 95-83.
Meralco is 2-0 with Tony Bishop.
BISHOP REPLACES MUHAMMAD
Meralco began the 2021 Governors’ Cup with two straight wins thanks to the play of Tony Bishop. The Bolts found a gem in Bishop after they were forced to find a replacement for original choice and former NBA veteran Shabazz Muhammad, who was forced to cancel his trip to Manila due to a 'personal emergency'.
MERALCO OUSTED IN SEMIS
The Bolts finished the eliminations with a 9-2 card to take the second spot and a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals. There, they defeated NLEX but not before being dragged to a knockout match. Meralco was then eliminated by Magnolia in the semifinal round, denying the Bolts' bid to make the Philippine Cup finals for the first time in franchise history.
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