MERALCO avoided an insurmountable 0-3 hole in beating TNT, 97-89, on Friday in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
CJ Cansino regained his shooting form in Game 3 to finally claim a victory in their best-of-seven showdown.
The win put the Bolts within striking distance in what was essentially a must-win, taking the victory even without their active consultant Nenad Vucinic.
READ: Newsome not giving up fight despite dislocated finger, 0-2 hole
Meralco also spoiled TNT's night that saw Tropang Texters great Ranidel de Ocampo's jersey number 33 being retired.
The Bolts, however, are also holding their breath after Chris Newsome hurt his left knee in the final moments of the game.
READ: Meralco holds breath as Newsome exits Game 3 win with knee injury
Meralco led by as many as 16 points, 63-47, in the wire-to-wire victory.
“Talk ‘N Text is really a hard team. They have been manhandling us the last two games,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. “Just everybody from the coaching staff to the players are coming together and try to make it harder for them.”
Cansino had 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field after a lackluster last two games. He had eight points in the final period to help the Bolts finish off the Tropang 5G.
Chris Banchero had 18 points and Chris Newsome added 17 points as both players combined for 20 in the third quarter.
RR Pogoy had 28 points, while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 14 points and six rebounds. Rey Nambatac had 13 points but also sustained an injury late in the game.
Calvin Oftana only shot 1-of-7 from the field and finished with only six points after averaging 27 points in the first two games.
The scores:
Meralco 97 – Cansino 18, Banchero 18, Newsome 17, Quinto 13, Almazan 11, Hodge 9, Bates 4, Jose 3, Rios 2, Maliksi 2, Caram 0, Black 0.
TNT 89 – Pogoy 28, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Nambatac 13, Williams 11, Oftana 6, Khobuntin 6, Erram 6, Jalalon 3, Galinato 2, Heading 0, Enciso 0, Aurin 0.
Quarters: 21-15; 47-38; 70-63; 97-89.
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