Strong start propels injury-riddled Meralco past Magnolia in Semis Game 3

Meralco captured its first victory in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals after defeating Magnolia, 91-86, Friday afternoon at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Chris Newsome led the way for the Bolts, who bounced back from a two consecutive defeats, with 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting spiked by 2 three-pointers while John Pinto racked up 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 block. Mac Belo contributed 14 markers, 5 boards and 2 dimes.

Despite playing without their starting center Raymond Almazan, the Norman Black-mentored squad led by as much as 21 points in the game and weathered a late Hotshots comeback to avoid a 0-3 deficit in the best-of-7 series.

“I think we displayed a big heart tonight. We’re struggling a little bit because of lack of manpower. We’ve lost a lot of players this conference and it hurts us as far as how depth is concerned,” said the 63-year-old tactician.

“We just looked at this game as a do-or-die game. We had to win the game. I think only one team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit and gone back to win the series. So we just treated like that there was no tomorrow for us and it’s a must win for us,” he added.

The 2014 PBA Grand Slam Champs nearly stole the win away from the determined Bolts after reducing the gap to 3 late in the 4th period. But Newsome converted a clutch jumper with 6.5 seconds left on the game clock that extended the lead to 5 points.

Paul Lee paced the 14-time PBA Champions with 18 points on 45% shooting from the field while Ian Sanggalang registered 15 points and 7 rebounds. Calvin Abueva added 12 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists.

The scores :

Meralco 91 – Newsome 17, Pinto 16, Belo 14, Baclao 10, Maliksi 9, Quinto 8, Caram 8, Hodge 7, Hugnatan 2.

Magnolia 86 – Lee 18, Sangalang 15, Abueva 12, Dela Rosa 10, Jalalon 9, Dionisio 8, Ahanmisi 8, Corpuz 2, Barroca 2, Reavis 2, Melton 0.

Quarterscores : 24-14, 47-37, 73-54, 91-86.