Meralco weathers Ginebra's Q4 attack to join tie for 4th place

Chris Newsome gets a free lane for the layup. Dennis Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Meralco banked on a blistering start and braved off a gallant fight from Ginebra in the fourth quarter for a 90-73 win in their PBA Philippine Cup meeting on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Bolts contained the Gin Kings early on and eventually raced to a 22-point lead, 72-50, at the end of the third quarter.

Ginebra, however, threatened to pull off a comeback after starting the fourth on an 8-0 run before eventually coming to as close as 12, 81-69, with 4:25 left.

Meralco finally shut the door on Ginebra after responding with a 9-2 run to reopen a 19-point lead before conceding a John Pinto layup in the end.

Chris Newsome led the Bolts, who are now tied with the Blackwater Bossing, who fell 90-107 to the Rain Or Shine Elasto Painters in the first game, and the Magnolia Hotshots for fourth place in the team standings at 5-3, with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Chris Banchero added 17 points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal off the bench.

Scottie Thompson had 14 markers, four boards, and five dimes, Pinto made 12 points, five caroms, three assists, and two steals, and Japeth Aguilar tallied 11 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks for Ginebra, which dropped to 6-3.

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