PBA: Newsome the hero as Meralco survives Blackwater

MANILA, July 22 ------ Chris Newsome knocked down the go-ahead basket with 3.9 seconds left as the Meralco Bolts survived Blackwater Bossing, 116-114, in Group B of the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Newsome scored the eventual game-winner to cap a 16-point, four-assist, and three-rebound outing as Meralco withstood a late Blackwater rally after nearly squandering an 18-point lead in the fourth canto. "You have to give Blackwater credit. They had no quit, but it was good that we were able to shoot that last shot on that pass to New," said Bolts head coach Luigi Trillo after Meralco marked its second straight win in three games.

Antonio Hester also posted 25 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists, while Chris Banchero caught fire with 16 points, including 12 from four-point range. For Blackwater, Kentrel Barkley finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, while Sedrick Barefield also scored 29 points to lead all locals.

RK Ilagan added 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists, but lost possession in the closing seconds, ending the Bossing's hopes of forcing overtime or pulling off the win. Blackwater absorbed its first loss after opening the conference with two straight victories.

The Scores:

Meralco 116 – Hester 25, Banchero 16, Newsome 16, Cansino 15, Hodge 14, Maliksi 8, Quinto 7, Black 6, Brickman 5, Mocon 2, Bates 2.

Blackwater 114 – Barefield 29, Bakrley 28, Ilagan 20, Panopio 11, Austria 9, Tratter 7, Demusis 4, Una 2, Murrell 2, Escoto 2, Mendoza 0, Dumont 0

Quarterscores: 26-29, 61-57, 98-81, 116-114.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com