Amazing, electrifying

Bolts pull it off anew the 7th time around

MANILA, Philippines — The Meralco Bolts now enjoy a great ride as renaissance men who have fought back practically from the grave and now in a good position to make a third straight PBA Governors Cup Finals.

After surviving six do-or-die matches, the Bolts roared on and pulled off a masterful 97-92 win over the Alaska Milk Aces in Game One of their best-of-five semifinals showdown at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo last night.

Allen Durham, Chris Newsome and Baser Amer stayed on a roll, all churning out impeccable performances to lead the Bolts against the Aces that struggled to find rhythm all game long.

“We’re trying to fight everyday,” said Meralco coach Norman Black as they sustained their amazing fightback from a horrendous 1-6 start in the season-ending tourney.

Pumped up by their two-game conquest of second seed Phoenix Petroleum in the quarterfinals, Durham and his teammates fashioned out a near wire-to-wire win over the badly stunned Alaska side in their series opener.

“We just want to send a message that no matter how deep a hole you fall into, you can come out of it. It’s never done until it’s done,” said Newsome, superb with 16 points including dagger treys at crunch time in their conquest of the Aces in the semis opener.

“It’s playoff time. It’s the time to give your best be it in scoring, playing defense and whatever it is to be able to help your team win the game,” Newsome also said on his solid all-around game also marked by seven rebounds, four assists and the same number of steals.

Newsome buried two big treys in the fourth quarter, each time when the Aces were threatening to start a rally.

Durham was a solid foundation on both ends of the court all game long for the Bolts, coming through with 32 points, 14 rebounds and six assists.

Amer also played big with 14 markers, four boards, three assists and one steal.

The scores: 

Meralco 97 – Durham 32, Newsome 16, Amer 14, Hugnatan 9, Caram 7, Faundo 6, Canaleta 6, Tolomia 5, Salva 2, Dillinger 0.

Alaska 92 – Harris 37, Banchero 16, Manuel 14, Casio 5, Enciso 5, Exciminiano 5, Teng 4, Pascual 4, Galliguez 2, Baclao 0, Racal 0, Thoss 0.

Quarterscores: 25-17, 47-34, 72-56, 97-92