No sweep: Meralco escapes to set up do-or-die vs Ginebra

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Heroes are aplenty as Meralco avoids another sweep at the hands of Barangay Ginebra and forces a sudden death in their best-of-three quarterfinals in the PBA Commissioner's Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Meralco refused to be swept by Barangay Ginebra.

The Bolts stayed alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and dragged the Gin Kings to a sudden-death in their best-of-three quarterfinals after a gritty 108-104 win at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, February 7.

Heroes were aplenty as Meralco avoided the same fate when it got blanked by Ginebra in the quarterfinals of the Governors’ Cup earlier this season and arranged a Game 3 set at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday.

Chris Newsome delivered 24 points and 5 assists, while import Akil Mitchell posted a triple-double of 13 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists in helping the Bolts snap their five-game losing streak against the Gin Kings.

“We really have to play at another level. That means less mistakes, focus in, toughness,” said Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo. “We cannot come to a fight and not be ready.”

The Bolts escaped despite nearly squandering a 108-99 lead with two minutes left, avoiding another deflating loss after losing the upper hand in the fourth quarter of their Game 1 defeat.

Jamie Malonzo scored 5 straight points to pull Ginebra within a single possession and the Gin Kings forced a shot clock violation in the ensuing play to get a shot at an equalizer.

But Meralco heaved a huge sigh of relief as Gin Kings rookie RJ Abarrientos missed a game-tying four-pointer in the dying seconds.

Aside from Newsome and Mitchell, the Bolts also banked on Jansen Rios, who fired 15 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting, and Bong Quinto and Chris Banchero, who finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Justin Brownlee erupted for a game-high 36 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Ginebra in the loss that halted their three-game winning streak.

It also marked the first time the Gin Kings lost to Meralco since they got eliminated by the Bolts in the semifinals of the Philippine Cup last season.

Scottie Thompson had 21 points and 9 rebounds, while Abarrientos tossed in 12 points and 2 steals in the defeat.

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.

Barangay 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.

– Rappler.com