PBA: Meralco overcomes Blackwater's Q4 run on Chris Newsome game-winner

Antonio Hester remained as Meralco's steady force. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Chris Newsome broke Blackwater's hearts on Tuesday night as he delivered the game-winner in Meralco's 116-114 escape in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center 1 in Antipolo.

Newsome scored the go-ahead layup off a fastbreak play with 3.9 seconds left that broke a 114-all tie just after the Bossing went on a 20-2 run to crawl back from 18 points down.

Blackwater banked on RK Ilagan, who scored the team's last four points to force the deadlock with 1:31 remaining, but he fumbled the ball off his dribble as time eventually ran out on him.

Antonio Hester led Meralco, which tied its victim at 2-1, with 25 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal.

Newsome and Chris Banchero, who connived on the winning shot with the latter delivering the assist off his rebounds, each tallied 16 markers on impressive shooting nights.

Sedrick Barefield put up 29 points on 12 of 21 shots, one rebound, and one assist to lead Blackwater, while Kentrell Barkley added 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists.

Ilagan had 20 points, four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.