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PBA: Meralco blasts Magnolia to set another finals date with Ginebra

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(UPDATED) Meralco used a massive second half to overpower Magnolia in Game 5 of their PBA Governors&#x27; Cup semifinals clash and set another title showdown against defending champion Barangay Ginebra.The Bolts leaned on their locals to stamp a 94-81 win and end the series 3-2 to advance to the finals.Allein Maliksi had 24 points, while Raymond Almazan and Chris Newsome added 18 and 17 markers, respectively.Aaron Black also had a productive night with 16 points.Meralco coach Norman Black opted for a more balanced approach in scoring, utilizing his locals to make up for import Tony Bishop&#x27;s low scoring output.&quot;It&#x27;s really the will to win. We talked about just playing for one another, winning for one another,&quot; said Black following the win.The Bolts also didn&#x27;t lose focus, unlike the Hotshots who nosedived after losing their teammate Mike Harris to injury.Harris had to be wheeled out after suffering a bad fall in the payoff period.&quot;(Bishop is) still hustling defensively, trying to get rebounds. There&#x27;s just a little bit balancing on offense, wherein we didn&#x27;t rely solely on our import,&quot; said Black.Bishop finished with 8 points but got 8 rebounds and 3 assists.Calvin Abueva had 21 points and carried the fight for Magnolia, which entered the playoffs as the top seed. Paul Lee got 13 markers. Harris settled for 5 points.Black, meanwhile set his sights on Ginebra. Game 1 of their best-of-7 title showdown begins on Wednesday.&quot;I&#x27;ve never beaten Tim (Cone) before, maybe this will be the right time to get it done. We&#x27;ve been meeting a lot lately and he&#x27;s been on the winning end every time,&quot; said Black.<div>The scores:</div>Meralco 94 - Maliksi 24, Almazan 18, Newsome 17, Black 16, Bishop 8, Caram 4, Quinto 4, Hodge 3, Hugnatan 0, Baclao 0, Canete 0, Belo 0.Magnolia 81 - Abueva 21, Barroca 11, Lee 13, Jalalon 11, Sangalang 10, Dela Rosa 6, Harris 5, Wong 2, Corpuz 1, Reavis 1, Brill 0, Dionisio 0, Escoto 0.Quarters: 23-29, 41-46, 62-65, 94-81

Meralco used a massive second half to overpower Magnolia in Game 5 of their PBA Governors' Cup semis clash.