BOLTS RUMESBAK SA GIN KINGS

Mga laro bukas:

AUF Gym

3:45 p.m. – TNT vs Phoenix

6:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs Meralco

NAMAYANI ang Meralco at ang ‘no-quit attitude‘ nito laban sa Barangay Ginebra at sa ‘never-say-die mantra’ nito sa Game 2 ng kanilang PBA Philippine Cup Final Four face-off kahapon sa Angeles University Foundation Gym sa Angeles City, Pampanga.

Nagbuhos si Chris Newsome ng 16 points at nagdagdag si Allein Maliksi ng 14 upang tulungan ang Gin Kings na maitabla ang serye sa 1-1.

Nahaharap sa 0-2 deficit sa best-of-five series, ang Bolts ay nabuhay sa third period at nakumpleto ang 95-77 fightback win.

Babasagin ng Bolts at Gin Kings ang pagtatabla sa krusyal na Game 3 sa Linggo.

“We just talked about the reality that we could not go down 0-2 in the series. We would not have a chance to come back from that deficit against Ginebra,” wika ni Meralco coach Norman Black.

“We made a few adjustments and the guys executed very well. We had a lot more balance in this game, with a lot of guys scoring. That gave us a big lift,” dagdag ni Black.

Sinimulan ni Newsome ang lahat sa third quarter at kalaunan ay tumulong ang kanyang mga teammate na sindihan ang pag-atake upang ma-dominahan ang Kings at makaiwas na malagay sa bingit ng pagkakasibak.

“We knew we had to come out with a lot of energy than the first game. Lots of guys came out and stepped up,” sabi ni Newsome na nakalikom din ng 6 assists, 4 rebounds at 1 steal.

Nagdagdag si Raymond Almazan ng 11 markers at parehong bilang ng rebounds, habang malaki rin ang naiambag nina Cliff Hodge at  Bong Quinto sa pagkamada ng double-digit productions.

Nanguna si Japeth Aguilar para sa Ginebra na may 17 points at 8 rebounds habang gumawa si LA Tenorio ng 16 points, subalit hindi siya nakaiskor sa second half.

But the Bolts went through a long anxious moment before hitting their strides.

LA Tenorio went 4-of-6 from the arc, leading the Kings as they took the early initiative and led by eight, 50-42, at the half.

But then the Bolts pressed harder on defense, keying their turnaround that saw them grab the lead, 65-61, going to the final canto.

And there’s simply no stopping the Bolts from taking the series-tying win. CLYDE MARIANO

Iskor:

MERALCO (95) – Newsome 16, Quinto 14, Maliksi 14, Hodge 12, Almazan 11, Amer 10, Hugnatan 9, Pinto 3, Black 2, Caram 2, Jamito 2, Faundo 0, Jose 0, Salva 0.

BARANGAY GINEBRA (77) – Aguilar 17, Tenorio 16, Thompson 10, Tolentino 9, Pringle 9, Caperal 6, Salado 4, Mariano 4 , Caguioa 2, Dela Cruz 0, Dillinger 0, Devance 0, Balanza 0.

QS: 23-27; 42-50; 65-61; 95-77