Meralco dominates Magnolia in OT to complete PBA Govs' Cup semis cast

Raymond Almazan soars for the dunk. Dennis Acosta

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY—Meralco picked up from where it left off right in the final play of regulation and ousted Magnolia from going deeper into the PBA Governors' Cup with a 113-107 win in their quarterfinal showdown on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Aaron Black forced overtime by putting in a buzzer-beating midrange basket to cause a 96-all deadlock, and in added time, the Bolts kept their poise before pulling away in the final one-and-a-half minutes.

Chris Newsome finished with a career-high 33 points with 11 rebounds, seven assists, and two steals for Meralco, which will face TNT in a best-of-five semifinal series beginning Friday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

KJ McDaniels added 27 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while Black and Chris Banchero each chipped in 16 markers with Black grabbing 12 boards for his own double-double.

Paul Lee led Magnolia, who missed the semifinals after making it in the first two conferences this season, with 22 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

At the same time, Antonio Hester added 21 points, 19 rebounds, two assists, and one steal.

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