Hope springs eternal.
The Meralco Bolts kept alive their hope for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Quarterfinals when they survived the ferocious comeback of the NorthPort Batang Pier to post a scrambling, 80-73, victory yesterday, November 11, 2020 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G.
NorthPort’s Renz Subido and Kevin Ferrer each drilled a three-pointer to fuel a 16-2 run which cut the Meralco lead to just 5 points, 76-71, with 2:36 to go in the game.
Paolo Taha then received an alley-oop pass from Ferrer to convert a layup and cut the Meralco lead to 3 points, 76-73, with 1:57 left to play.
That was the closest the Batang Pier would come. Raymond Almazan converted a fastbreak layup to extend the Meralco lead to 5 points, 78-73. Subido and Ferrer made repeated tries for three-pointers which they repeatedly missed allowing Meralco to escape with the victory.
Meralco’s Chris Newsome made two free throws to finalize the count, 80-73.
Meanwhile, the NLEX Road Warriors, shut out of the playoffs, vented their ire on the hapless Terrafirma Dyip posting a 127-101 demolition.
Kiefer Ravena, as usual, led the NLEX production with 23 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds.
Asi Taulava, playing his last game in the PBA, scored 11 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, posted 3 blocks and issued 2 assists.
With the victory the Bolts (7 wins, 4 losses) earned at least tie for a twice-to-beat advantage in the Quarterfinals of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup. A tiebreak to determine the final standings will be computed after the final two games of the conference are played.
The Dyip (1-10) ended the season with its usual place at the bottom of the standings and will be rewarded with a fourth consecutive top overall pick in the next PBA Draft.
Leading the standings and with a twice-to-beat advantage are the Ginebra Gin Kings (8-3).
The other teams already qualified to the Quarterfinals are Phoenix Super LPG (7-3), TNT Tropang Giga (7-4), Alaska Aces (7-4), San Miguel Beermen (7-4), Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (6-4) and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (6-4).
Left outside and looking in are NLEX (5-6), Blackwater Elite (2-8) and NorthPort (1-10).
Bong Quinto finished with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists to win Player of the Game honors for the Bolts. He credited the close proximity in the “PBA bubble” for better familiarity among Meralco players.
“Siguro yung samahan ng team namin ang dahilan sa better play. Habang tumatagal kami sa bubble mas nakikilala namin ang isat isa. Nata translate namin ito sa laro. Sabi ni coach Norman (Black), ito na ang panahon namin. Kumpleto kami. Injury free si Raymond (Almazan). Sabi ni coach Magtiwala lang kami sa isat isa,” said Quinto during the post-game interview.
The scores:
Meralco Bolts 80 – Bong Quinto 14, Chris Newsome 11, Raymond Almazan 11, Baser Amer 10, Trevis Jackson 10, Jammer Jamito 6, Aaron Black 5, Bryan Faundo 4, Cliff Hodge 2, Nico Salva 2, Anjo Caram 2, Nard Pinto 0, Raymar Jose 0.
NorthPort Batang Pier 73 – Jervy Cruz 15, Paolo Taha 14, Kelly Nabong 14, Kevin Ferrer 9, Renz Subido 9, Bradwyn Guinto 7, Sean Manganti 2, LA Revilla 2, Nico Elorde 1.
Quarter scores: 23-14, 39-30, 67-50, 80-73.