By REYNALD MAGALLON
Chris Newsome steadied the ship as Meralco asserted its mastery of Rain or Shine, 98-89, to book a return trip to the semifinals of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday, Dec. 29.
Newsome exploded for 31 points – 18 of which he poured in the final frame where the Bolts pulled away from a 77-all deadlock in the last six minutes to arrange a best-of-seven affair against the TNT Tropang 5G in the semifinals.
Meralco actually unloaded a back-breaking 13-5 run to take a comfortable 90-82 lead with 1:13 left before Newsome proved to be steady from the foul line as he scored eight straight free throws to keep ROS at bay.
Chris Banchero also provided the timely hits to finish with a conference-high of 21 points.
Cansino added 14 points and eight rebounds while Bong Quinto chipped in 11 for the seventh seed Bolts who overcame the twice-to-beat advantage of the Elasto Painters.
Unlike in the first game, Rain or Shine had a better start to the contest behind a 19-6 rally to take a 26-20 advantage at the end of the first frame.
But Meralco came alive in the second quarter, limiting ROS to just 11 points to seize control of the game the rest of the way. The Bolts protected the lead for the most part of the second half until the Elasto Painters fired eight unanswered points to tie the game.
That, however, the closest ROS could get as Banchero and Newsome took turns in attacking the paint for Meralco.
Adrian Nocum did everything he could to try and extend ROS’ tournament lives with his 29 points but to no avail.
Gian Mamuyac contributed 20 points as the loss marked the end of the PBA career of Gabe Norwood, who, prior to the start of the season, announced that he would be playing for his final conference in the PBA in the All-Filipino Cup.
