Chris Newsome still remembers the bitterness of that missed alley-oop versus the Magnolia Hotshots back in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
On that night of May 18, Newsome had the chance to change the game’s complexity with three seconds left, as he was the focal point of an inbound alley-oop play. They were able to execute nicely, but his shot only kissed the rim.
“I remember feeling really bad about that.”
Ten months later, though, Newsome finally made that play successfully.
The 6-foot-4 Newsome perfectly timed John Pinto’s alley-oop off the inbound. He secured the shot with two seconds left in the fourth quarter to send the Bolts’ match with the NorthPort Batang Pier into an extra five minutes.
And Meralco eventually won, 126-123, after two overtimes.
“I was able to make up for it this game,” said Newsome, who led the Bolts with 28 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists.
“All credits to coach Norman [Black]. That was a great play for drawing that up. Of course John Pinto for that on-point pass. That was big time, it was crucial for us to get into that overtime and get us a chance to win the game.”
But more than his own game, the four-year pro out of Ateneo De Manila is simply happy with Friday’s victory. The Bolts not only snapped their three-game skid, they also kept their playoff hopes alive in the 2019 Philippine Cup.
“I just felt good to get the win and finally get back in that winning column.”
