BOLTS SWEAT OUT OT WIN
CLARK — Chris Newsome delivered a fiery clutch performance as Meralco successfully bounced its way back with an overtime victory over Magnolia,109-104, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup Tuesday at the Angeles University Foundation (AUF) Gym here.
Newsome provided the much-needed spark as he erupted for 27 points, seven rebounds and six assists, highlighted by his baseline jumper that gave his team the win with nine seconds left in extra period.
Rookie Aaron Black also made his presence felt after tossing 16 markers alongside four assists and four rebounds, while Cliff Hodge worked his way inside the paint for 12 points and nine rebounds.
“I just told my players during our timeout before overtime that we need to step up and take the game. Our guys played very well during that time,” Bolts coach Norman Black said.
With both teams ending the fourth quarter at 94-all, the Bolts pressed on as Black hit a trey in the 3:35 mark, to give his team a 99-98 edge.
Newsome took matters in his own hands as he scored another triple approaching the final minute.
But Magnolia guard Marc Barroca tried to lift his team closer with a layup, 104-105, with 48 seconds remaining.
However, Newsome proved to have the hotter shooting hand as he threw another booming baseline jumper to give his team a breather, 107-104, with less than nine seconds left in the frame.
Now enjoying a 2-2 slate, Black said that they are now looking forward to gain consistency as they are nearing the middle stretch of their elimination campaign.
“Tonight, we saw some parts [of our games] just floating around, we didn’t have much definition in our game, especially with a team against Magnolia.”
“We’ve been up and down, we won our battle against Alaska but we lost to Barangay Ginebra, we need a little bit of consistency in our game, especially on the defensive side.”
Magnolia sniper Paul Lee erupted for 32 big points with 6-of-10 shooting beyond the arc, but was still not enough to power his team now tainted with a 1-3 record.