MANILA, Philippines — Chris Newsome nailed the go-ahead layup with 3.9 seconds left to lift Meralco to a nail-biting 116-114 escape act against a tough Blackwater side in their PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup match on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Newsome’s late-game twinner rescued the Bolts from imminent defeat after blowing a 19-point, second half lead.
The Bossing mounted a massive uprising in the first quarter behind the trio of locals RK Ilagan, Sedrick Barefield and Dalph Panopio.
Ilagan, who finished with 20 points, scored 11 in the fourth quarter that saw Blackwater outscore Meralco, 33-18 in that stretch.
Ilagan actually tied the game at 114-114 with 1:31 to go off a jumper.
The spitfire Blackwater guard had a chance to tie the game with a two-point basket, but a costly turnover put an end to the team’s hopes as time expired.
The loss Blackwater’s two-game winning streak to start the conference.
Before this loss, Blackwater routed Rain or Shine, 131-108 last week to open the conference, before beating Magnolia, 89-81.
Meralco improved to 2-1 since dropping a narrow 98-97 decision to Phoenix.
Antonio Hester led the Bolts with 25 points and 12 rebound, while Newsome and Chris Banchero had 16 each.
CJ Cansino and Cliff Hodge chipped in 15 and 14.
Barefield led the Bossing with 29 points, import Kentrell Barkley had 28, 10 rebounds and four assists.
