MANILA – Meralco Bolts made its way to the semifinals of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup via a 97-86 victory over NLEX Road Warriors in their do-or-die quarterfinals last night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Chris Newsome led the way with 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists while Ilonggo Antonio Jose Caram drilled four three-point conversions to end up with 16 points.
Clifford Hodge also made his presence felt with near double-double numbers of 16 points and nine rebounds, while Bacolodnon center Reynel Hugnatan contributed 11 markers.
With the win, the Bolts sets up a best-of-seven semifinals series with the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots, which reached the semifinals after defeating Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 96-86, on Thursday night.
The Bolts opened a 14-10 lead on early hits from Newsome but the Road Warriors responded with a run to take an 18-14 edge. Late conversions from Allein Maliksi surged Meralco ahead, 22-21, after the first quarter.
Meralco went on with its run in the second frame for a 32-21 lead on baskets from Hodge. NLEX cut the deficit to 35-42 but the Bolts increased it to 46-35 at the half on conversions from Hodge and Newsome.
Caram, meanwhile, caught fire for the Bolts in the third quarter with consecutive baskets as the lead reached its largest at 62-44. The Road Warriors answered back with a rally to come to within 60-68 heading into the fourth.
Meralco widened the lead to double-figures anew early in the fourth but the NLEX made its last push at 73-80 before they lost the momentum as Kevin Alas was slapped with an unsportsmanlike foul.
The Bolts took advantage of the Alas foul to unload its finishing rally behind consecutive points by Newsome and five straight points by Caram to make it 93-78 with over two minutes left.
For the Road Warriors, Celedonio Trollano top-scored with 19 points. Rookie Calvin Oftana had double-double 14 points and 11 rebounds, while JR Quinahan and Ilonggo Jericho Cruz contributed 13 and 11, respectively./PN
