By Peter Atencio
Three free throws from Bong Quinto kept the Meralco Bolts’ quarterfinal hope alive in the 48th Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup last night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Quinto’s split charity in the last 17 seconds gave them a four-point edge in the dying seconds, 80-76.
Then, a pair from Quinto in the last two seconds sealed the win for the Bolts, who picked up their fourth win in nine games.
Aaron Black tallied a game-high 18 points, four rebounds for the Bolts, who improved their record at 10th place.
Bolts coach Luigi Trillo said their two-week rest off their last game gave the players a refreshed feeling going into the game.
“They had several games this week. We had a two-week break. Now, we feel like late starters,” said Trillo.
Chris Newsome banged in 15 points for the Bolts, before he left the court after suffering a leg injury in the last 19 seconds.
Ken Tuffin struck with 14 points for the Fuel Masters, who appears to be losing contention of the last quarterfinal slot.
It was Tuffin’s jumper in the final 20 seconds, which allowed the Fuel Masters to stay close for the last time, 76-79.