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PBA: Meralco holds off Magnolia for 2-1 semis lead

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="The Meralco Bolts are on the brink of another finals appearance in the PBA Governors" Cup.="" PBA="" media="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/sports/03/27/20220327-pba.jpg"/><figcaption>The Meralco Bolts are on the brink of another finals appearance in the PBA Governors&#x27; Cup. PBA Media Bureau.</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA (UPDATED) - Chris Newsome took charge in the clutch, and the Meralco Bolts held on for a 101-95 victory against the Magnolia Hotshots in Game 3 of their semifinals series, Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.With the result, the Bolts took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-5 series, putting them within one win of advancing to the 2021 PBA Governors&#x27; Cup.This is the first time in the conference that the Hotshots have lost back-to-back games. Magnolia topped the elimination round with a 9-2 win-loss record.Meralco import Tony Bishop put up 27 points, 10 rebounds and four steals while Chris Banchero contributed 23 points and five assists. Newsome had 16 points on 4-of-11 shooting, with five boards and five dimes.The Bolts maximized their chances at the free throw line, making 27 of 30 charities with Bishop going a perfect 11-of-11.&quot;This [game] is like a turning point for both teams, at this point,&quot; Meralco coach Norman Black said afterward. &quot;We just thought this was a very pivotal game for us in this series, and if we could win the game, it gives us a much better chance of making it to the championship.&quot;The Bolts looked to break the game open midway through the third quarter when Magnolia import Mike Harris was whistled for his fourth foul. With Harris on the bench, Meralco scored six unanswered points to take a 70-64 lead. Magnolia coach Chito Victolero gambled with sending Harris back in the game, and it paid off at first as the Hotshots answered back with a 6-0 run of their own to tie the game at 70. But the Bolts ended the third on a strong note, with Bong Quinto firing four points for a 76-72 Meralco lead.The Bolts steadily pulled away in the fourth period, with a Newsome triple pushing their lead to 10 points, 95-85. A flurry of points by Jio Jalalon got Magnolia within three points, 95-92, with 56 seconds left, but Newsome was ready with a response.The guard spun past Rome dela Rosa for a clutch layup with 38 seconds left to push their lead back to five, 97-92, and free throws by Bishop and Quinto clinched the win.&quot;I&#x27;m happy we won. I didn&#x27;t think we played great tonight,&quot; said Black. &quot;I think what we&#x27;ll do is just go back and take a look at the tape, and see the things we did well, see the things we did bad, and try to correct the weaknesses and move on to the next game.&quot;Harris had 24 points and 17 rebounds, but had to play with care for most of the second half due to foul trouble. Mark Barroca had 15 points, 13 of which came in the first half. Paul Lee continues to struggle in the series, as he made just five points on 2-of-9 shooting. Calvin Abueva had eight points and two rebounds in 19 minutes. <div>The Scores: </div>MERALCO 101 – Bishop 27, Banchero 23, Newsome 16, Quinto 10, Maliksi 10, Almazan 6, Hodge 4, Baclao 3, Black 2, Belo 0, Caram 0MAGNOLIA 95 – Harris 24, Barroca 15, Sangalang 14, Jalalon 13, Abueva 8, Wong 7, Dela Rosa 7, Lee 5, Reavis 2QUARTERS: 24-19, 46-50, 76-72, 101-95.

The Meralco Bolts held on for a 101-95 victory against the Magnolia Hotshots in Game 3 of their semifinals series, Sunday.

PBA: Meralco holds off Magnolia for 2-1 semis lead

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PBA: Meralco holds off Magnolia for 2-1 semis lead

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 27, 2022 06:16 PM PHT

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Updated March 27, 2022 08:19 PM PHT

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basketball

PBA

PBA Governors' Cup

Magnolia Hotshots

Meralco Bolts

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