MANILA – In a game where both imports struggled to find their mark, it was the locals who delivered the goods and in the crucial stretch it was Meralco’s Filipino cagers who were on point.
The Bolts went on a huge fourth quarter rampage and toppled Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots, 94-81, in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup do-or-die semifinals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Entering the payoff period behind 62-65, the Bolts unloaded an 11-2 start behind triples by Allein Maliksi and inside hits by Chris Newsome, Kier John Quinto and Raymond Almazan for a 78-67 edge.
The Hotshots rallied to within 72-78 but the Bolts got conversions from Maliksi, Norman Aaron Black and Chris Newsome as the leas swelled to its largest at 94-81.
Maliksi finished the match with 24 points, including six triples. Almazan, Newsome and Black chipped in 18, 17 and 16 markers, respectively, as the Bolts closed out the series at 3-2.
Reinforcement Tony Bishop struggled with his shots with just eight points, on 3-of-18 shooting from the field, to go with eight rebounds and three assists for Meralco.
For finishing off the Hotshots, the Bolts earned the right to face defending champions Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in best-of-seven finals beginning on Wednesday.
The Bolts surged to an early 11-2 start behind conversions by Black. The Hotshots countered with baskets from Calvin Abueva as they seize a 29-23 advantage.
Meralco managed to cut the deficit to 37-41 in the second quarter but a three-pointer by Abueva and a late basket by Michael Harris had the Magnolia ahead, 46-41, at the half.
The Bolts started strong in the third quarter as they surged to a 57-51 edge on inside baskets by Abueva and Bishop. The Hotshots countered with a late run for a 65-62 upperhand.
Abueva led the Hotshots with 21 points, while Harris ended with just five markers before exiting the game in the second half after being elbowed by a Meralco player.
BOX SCORE:
MERALCO 94 — Maliksi 24, Almazan 18, Newsome 17, Black 16, Bishop 8, Caram 4, Quinto 4, Hodge 3, Hugnatan 0, Baclao 0, Belo 0, Cañete 0, Pasaol 0.
MAGNOLIA 81– Abueva 21, Lee 13, Jalalon 11, Barroca 11, Sangalang 10, Dela Rosa 6, Harris 5, Wong 2, Reavis 1, Corpuz 1, Dionisio 0, Brill 0, Ahanmisi 0, De Leon 0, Escoto 0.
Quarterscores: 23-29, 41-46, 62-65, 94-81./PN
