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| Chris Newsome caught fire in time to send Meralco back in the semis. PBA Images |
QUEZON CITY—Chris Newsome soared for Meralco in what turned out to be Gabe Norwood's "Last Flight" as the team completed the overcoming of Rain Or Shine's twice-to-beat advantage and completed the PBA Philippine Cup semifinal cast with a 98-89 win in a rare Monday night showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Newsome took over for the Bolts, especially with the Elasto Painters fighting back, scoring 18 of his 31 points in the final quarter, even as he made eight straight free throws in the final 35 seconds to ice the game.
Newsome went 8-for-16 from the field, even as he tallied three rebounds, five assists, one steal, and two blocks as Meralco sets a semifinal date with sister team TNT on Sunday back at "The Big Dome".
Chris Banchero added 21 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Adrian Nocum put up a season-high 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block for ROS, which was sent home despite being the second seed in the playoffs.
Gian Mamuyac added 20 points, four rebounds, and two assists, while Norwood, in his farewell game, had three points, two rebounds, one assist, and three steals.
The Scores:
MERALCO 98 – Newsome 31, Banchero 21, Cansino 14, Quinto 11, Almazan 5, Rios 5, Hodge 4, Black 4, Bates 2, Pascual 1, Reyson 0
RAIN OR SHINE 89 – Nocum 29, Mamuyac 20, Clarito 9, Malonzo 8, Caracut 7, Santillan 7, Tiongson 6, Norwood 3, Pringle 0, Villegas 0, Manaytay 0
QUARTERS: 20-26, 43-37, 66-59, 98-89
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