By REYNALD MAGALLON
All the other nine players on the court knew exactly that Chris Newsome would be the one taking the last shot yet it looked like Converge did not see the game-winning jumper coming.
The Bolts main man began their title defense in the Philippine Cup the same way he ended the one from last season, draining a clutch mid-range jumper anew to lift Meralco to a 91-89 comeback victory over Converge Friday, April 4, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Opening their title-retention bid against a dangerous FiberXers team, the Bolts displayed their championship poise and recovered from a huge 20-point deficit before Newsome, who gave Meralco the all-Filipino crown with a clutch jumper in Game 6 of the last season’s Philippine Cup finals, delivered yet another cold-blooded game-winner.
With the game tied, 89-all, the gutsy Meralco playmaker asked for a clearout at the top of the key before catching Alex Stockton out of position with a behind the back dribble.
The Converge guard, an able defender at that, managed to recover and keep up but he was once again caught on a fly-by move from Newsome who then coolly sank the jumper with 0.5 seconds left.
Newsome finished with 15 points – 11 of which he poured in the final frame to help Meralco buck a slow start that saw the Bolts trail 27-7 deficit in the opening frame.
He added six rebounds, four assists and a steal while also getting solid contributions from Bong Quinto who had 14 points and six rebounds and Raymond Almazan who chipped in a double-double effort of 13 points and 12 rebounds.
Aaron Black and and Raymar Jose were the other double-digit finishers for Meralco with 10 apiece.
Likewise, Terrence Romeo put up a vintage performance as Terrafirma began its farewell tour on right foot, taking down Phoenix, 95-87.
After going scoreless in the first two quarters, Romeo got his groove in the third quarter, firing 14 of his 17 points to steer the Dyip to a huge 20-point lead before keeping the Fuel Masters at bay in the final frame.
Terrafirma, which is playing in its final conference in the league after selling its franchise to Starhorse, already tied its number of wins from last conference.
Louie Sangalang, who was one of the bright spots in the Dyip’s losing season so far, showed no signs of slowing down, leading his team with 21 points to go with eight rebounds, four steals and two blocks.
Stanley Pringle also chipped in 17 while Paolo Hernandez and CJ Catapusan finished with nine apiece for the Dyip who enjoyed a 79-59 lead in the third frame.
Phoenix, however, kept itself within striking distance and still threatened in the waning minutes of the final frame when it cut the lead down to 10, 79-89, with 3:05 left in the fourth.
Romeo, though, quickly doused the run with a booming triple that gave Terrafirma a 92-79.
