Meralco rallies late in OT to take win vs. Magnolia

Chris Newsome delivered another impressive all-around game for the Bolts. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Meralco stepped up late into the first overtime session of the PBA season to defeat Magnolia, 109-104, on Tuesday night at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

The Bolts made up in the extension after failing to complete a comeback in regulation as they scored their second win in the bubble against two losses.

Down 85-90 with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, Meralco went on an 8-0 run ignited by back-to-back triples from Trevis Jackson to take a 93-90 lead with only 21 seconds left in regulation.

But a series of contrasting free throw stints from Jackson, Mark Barroca, and Paul Lee ended up in a 94-all tie at the end of the first 48 minutes.

Another string of three pointers, this time from Aaron Black and Chris Newsome, sparked the Bolts' game-turning 8-2 run that gave them a 104-100 lead with 1:24 to play in overtime.

The Hotshots still got to inch closer as back-to-back field goals from Jack Corpuz and Mark Barroca drew them to within one, 104-105, with 48.1 seconds remaining.

But Newsome, who split from the line during Magnolia's mini-run, made up for it by draining a fallaway jumper from just inside the free throw line to up Meralco's lead to three, 107-104, with 9.3 seconds left.

His defense then forced Lee to a tough long two that rimmed out, and Raymond Almazan sealed the win with two free throws with 1.1 seconds to go.

Newsome finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two blocks for the Bolts.

Black played his best game so far in his rookie campaign with 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting, four rebounds, four assists, and one steal off the bench.

Lee finished with 32 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal for the now 1-3 Hotshots, who missed Ian Sangalang and Rome Dela Rosa due to injuries.

Box Scores:

Meralco 109-Newsome 23, Black 16, Hodge 12, Hugnatan 11, Jackson 10, Quinto 8, Jamito 8, Maliksi 8, Almazan 8, Pinto 4, Amer 1, Caram 0

Magnolia 104-Lee 32, Barroca 17, Banchero 13, Jalalon 13, Corpuz 12, Melton 6, Reavis 4, Pascual 4, Dionisio 3, Calisaan 0

Quarterscores: 19-25, 46-46, 67-73, 94-94, 109-104

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