Beats Magnolia, reaches semis
ANTIPOLO – Fourth-seeded Meralco made sure lightning didn’t strike twice – or thrice in this case – in this hard-fought series against No. 5 Magnolia.
With their conference on the line, the Bolts worked double, triple-time to eke out a 105-102 overtime victory over Magnolia for a prized seat to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals last night at Ynares Center-Antipolo.
The thrilling win gave the Bolts the final laugh after losing twice before to the Hotshots in succession, yielding the opening match of the quarterfinals, 89-95, as well as the preceding final gig of the elimination phase, 76-93.
Up next will be either defending champion TNT or top seed NLEX in the best-of-seven Final Four.
“For us, it’s about showing heart, just going out and playing every possession like it’s our last. It’s a do or die and we really played like it tonight,” said Bolts skipper Chris Newsome after surviving the tough challenge of the Hotshots.
“Composure is the name of the game when it comes to playoff basketball and we have to be able to execute well and stick to the game plan. And I’m glad the guys stuck to it after those back-to-back losses,” he added.
The Bolts found the Hotshots a tough customer, even with the latter’s import Clint Chapman fouling out with still 4:21 left in regulation.
Bong Quinto hit big-time buckets in the fourth and extra time, including a shot clock-beating jumper that gave them a 102-100 cushion with 37.9 ticks left in OT. Quinto went on to make a pair of splits in the dying seconds to seal the deal.
Marvin Jones dropped 28 points with nine rebounds and two assists to pace the Bolts in the clincher.
Newsome shot 18, CJ Cansino scored 16, Cliff Hodge banged in 14 and Quinto had 11 in ensuring Meralco’s second straight semifinal appearance.
The Bolts spoiled the 28-point explosion of Jerom Lastimosa, who anchored Magnolia’s late fight but committed a costly turnover in the waning seconds.