Undermanned Meralco dug deep into its reserves and found the right men for a challenging job in Game 3 of their best-of-seven semifinals series with the Magnolia Hotshots in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup.
Nards Pinto and Nonoy Baclao ably backed Chris Newsome as the trio did not disappoint coach Norman Black and the Bolts, who went on to pull off a 91-86 triumph over the Hotshots on Friday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Pinto hit five of 16 points, while Baclao unloaded six of 10 points during a six-minute stretch in the third period, touching off a big scoring run that gave them a comfortable cushion in the fourth period.
“We played like there was no tomorrow for us. It was a must-win for us,” said Bolts’ coach Norman Black as Meralco bounced back from two straight losses to the Beermen.
The joint effort of Pinto and Baclao sent the Bolts away from a 52-48 edge into a 15-point advantage in the last two minutes of the third period, 67-52.
Newsome finished with six rebounds and 17 points for the Bolts, including a jumper with six ticks left handing the Bolts a five-point edge as the clock winded down.
“We looked at the game as a do-or-die one because there was only one team that has managed to come back from a 0-3 deficit in the past,” added Black.
Ian Sangalang struck with 15 points, with his two charities in the last two minutes fuelling the Hotshots’ rally in the final period.
He had help from Paul Lee, who scattered 18 points for the Hotshots, including a split freebie in the final 1:01 moving the Hotshots to within five, 84-89, before Newsome hit his key basket.
The Bolts found a way to survive without two key men in Raymond Almazan and Cliff Hodge around.
Almazan is out due to an ankle sprain, while Hodge was suspended for a game after he was ejected from Game Two for a Flagrant Foul Penalty One. Hodge was slapped with technical foul earlier in that match.
The Bolts also missed Aaron Black due to an injury in his right hand.