Chris Newsome proved clutch time and again as Meralco stunned Magnolia, 85-80, to bolster its top four chances in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday night at the University of San Carlos Gym in Iloilo City.
The Bolts’ main man nailed four crucial free throws inside the game’s final 33.4 seconds to ward off the Hotshots, which got to within a solitary point twice after being down by as much as 11 approaching the midway mark of the fourth.
Newsome finished with 17 points, four rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block as they improved to 7-2 to gain a share of the second spot with Phoenix.
Coincidentally, the Fuel Masters will be their next assignment on January 10, Wednesday, 4 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Helping out Newsome in the huge win was Shonn Miller, who proved his worth right in his first game as the replacement of Zach Lofton.
The American forward registered a game-high 33 points on 54-percent shooting from the field, together with 22 rebounds and four steals.
Tyler Bey, on the other hand, finished with 23 points and 16 rebounds to lead the Hotshots, which finished with the eliminations with a 9-2 record.
Mark Barroca had 18 points, while Calvin Abueva added 10 markers for a crew that’s seemingly unlucky when it plays in out-of-town games.
It could be recalled that Magnolia suffered its first loss of the tourney in Cagayan De Oro last December 16, a 113-110 decision versus Rain or Shine.
Still, the team of Coach Chito Victolero is assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, which starts in less than two weeks.
The Scores:
Meralco 85 – Miller 33, Newsome 17, Quinto 8, Caram 6, Maliksi 5, Banchero 3, Hodge 3, Rios 2, Bates 2, Black 2, Almazan 2.
Magnolia 80 – Bey 23, Barroca 18, Abueva 10, Jalalon 8, Eriobu 5, Lee 4, Sangalang 4, Dela Rosa 3, Mendoza 3, Laput 2, Tratter 0, Dionisio 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16, 35-37, 57-58, 85-80.
