Meralco's Chris Newsome in action. PBA Images
ILAGAN, Isabela — Meralco climbed back from 16 points down to overcome Ginebra, 89-75, in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Everything went right for the Bolts in the latter part of the second half, tearing down that huge lead from the 56-40 count, as CJ Cansino, Bong Quinto, Aaron Black, Chris Newsome, and the rest of the squad all did their part to return into the match.
Meralco finally tasted the lead at the 67-66 mark with 7:24 left in the fourth period, as Newsome nailed his three-pointer.
READ: PBA: Meralco weathers Blackwater rally for first win in PH Cup
Cansino and Quinto kept that lead for themselves, knocking down shots from the 71-69 count and went for 12 unanswered points to pull away from the Gin Kings, 83-69.
READ: PBA: Huge first quarter fuels Ginebra's rout of TNT
RJ Abarrientos converted back-to-back triples with less than two minutes remaining, but Quinto was there for the answer back and the step-back dagger four-pointer, 30 ticks left, to finally silence Tim Cone's wards.
Newsome was Best Player with 19 points, eight rebounds, and four assists, Cansino helped the winning cause with 18 markers and two steals, and Quinto— who regained his rhythm later in the game—finished with 11 points and four rebounds.
This was Meralco's second win in a row, while dealing the Gin Kings' second loss in the tournament.
Abarrientos had 14 points to lead four white-and-red jerseys in twin-digit scoring.