Down-the-wire.
Chris Newsome drained a fadeaway jumpshot over the blocking hand of CJ Perez at the buzzer to power the Meralco Bolts to a nail-biting 95-93 victory over Terrafirma Dyip in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday, Sunday, November 8 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G.
Perez almost lifted the Dyip to victory before Newsome’s decisive field goal.
Perez converted two-of-two free throws to cut the Meralco lead to 5, 93-87, with 2 minutes left to play. Perez then cut the gap to just 3, 93-90, after converting a three-pointer with 1:41 left in the game.
Perez then penetrated into the paint to drop a pass inside to Eric Camson. With Meralco defenders converging on him Camson zipped a pass outside to an open Juami Tiongson who drilled the sideline trey to tie the count at 93-all.
In the final play of the game Newsome received the ball from Baser Amer. He made his move against Perez and drove strong to the hoop before pulling up for the fadeaway dagger which beat the Dyip.
In the first game of the day Rain or Shine Elasto Painters snapped a three-game losing streak to beat the skidding Blackwater Elite, 82-71.
With the twin results the Elite (2 wins, 7 losses), NorthPort Batang Pier (1-7) and Terrafirma (1-8) were formally eliminated from the chase to the Quarterfinals.
Leading the standings are Barangay Ginebra (7-2), TNT Tropang Giga (7-3) and Phoenix Super LPG (6-3).
The other teams include the Alaska Aces (6-4), Meralco Bolts (6-4), Rain or Shine (5-4), San Miguel Beermen (5-4), Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (5-4) and NLEX Road Warriors (4-5).
The Elasto Painters seemed in danger of suffering their fourth consecutive loss when they suddenly woke up in the third quarter. They exploded a 15-0 run to grab the initiative for good.
It may have been a Pyrrhic victory however with their best scorers Rey Nambatac and James Yap suffering game-ending injuries.
The Scores:
Rain or Shine 82 – Javee Mocon 19, Beau Belga 14, Clint Doliguez 8, Ryan Araña 8, Gabe Norwood 7, Mark Borboran 7, Rey Nambatac 5, Sydney Onwubere 5, Adrian Wong 5, Norbert Torres 4, Kris Rosales 0, Prince Rivero 0, Vince Tolentino 0, Jewel Ponferada 0, James Yap 0.
Blackwater Elite 71 – Mac Bello 15, Niño Canaleta 11, Roi Sumang 11, Richard Escoto 10, Mike Tolomia 4, Jonjon Gabriel 4, Matt Salem 3, Ron Dennison 3, Diego Dario 3, Ed Daquioag 2, Frank Golla 2, Marion Magat 2, Don Trollano 1, Maurice Shaw 0.
Quarter Scores: 16-20, 38-34, 63-45, 82-71.
The Scores:
Meralco Bolts 95 – Raymond Almazan 15, Bong Quinto 14, Chris Newsome 12, Allein Maliksi 11, Bryan Faundo 10, Baser Amer 8, Cliff Hodge 6, Jammer Jamito 6, Nard Pinto 0, Nico Salva 0.
Terrafirma Dyip 93 – Juami Tiongson 21, CJ Perez 21, Philip Cahilig 9, Eric Camson 7, Reden Celda 7, Roosevelt Adams 6, Glenn Khobuntin 6, JP Calvo 5, Christian Balagasay 4, Aldrech Ramos 3, Jeepy Faundo 2, Keith Agovida 2, Rashawn McCarthy 0, Joseph Gabayni 0.
Quarter Scores: 29-17, 51-36, 76-66, 95-93.