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Meralco's Jansen Rios in action. PBA ImagesMANILA, Philippines – Meralco got to live another day in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
This, as the Bolts defeated Ginebra, 108-104, in Game 2 of the best-of-three quarterfinals, Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the nation's capital.
Meralco managed to weather any Ginebra comeback, as Jamie Malonzo tried to live up to the "never say die" spirit.
The Gin Kings saw themselves within four after Malonzo sank a couple of freebies and a trey, 108-104, 34.9 seconds left.
READ: PBA: Scottie Thompson comes alive as Ginebra reasserts mastery of Meralco for 1-0 lead
But that comeback attempt fell short as RJ Abarrientos unfortunately missed a potential game-tying four, after Ginebra gained possession from a 24-second shotclock violation by Meralco, 10.6 seconds remaining in regulation.
Jansen Rios stepped up for the winning side, listing 15 points while Chris Newsome top-scored with 24 markers on 10-of-17 clip, adding five assists. Meanwhile, Cliff Hodge delivered 17 points and collected six rebounds.
Justin Brownlee's 36-piece wasn't enough to lift the semis-seeking Ginebra, while Scottie Thompson breached the 20-point territory with 21, also tallying nine boards.
The decider is set on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
MERALCO 108 – Newsome 24, Hodge 17, Rios 15, Quinto 14, Mitchell 13, Banchero 13, Black 8, Almazan 2, Cansino 2, Bates 0, Pascual 0, Caram 0
GINEBRA 103 – Brownlee 36, Thompson 21, Abarrientos 12, J.Aguilar 10, Rosario 9, Malonzo 9, Ahanmisi 2
QUARTERS: 26-25, 58-53, 85-81, 108-104
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