CHRIS Newsome cranked his game several notches up after halftime and powered Meralco to a 109-104 overtime victory over Magnolia last night in the PBA Philippine Cup bubble at the Smart 5G-powered AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City.
After being limited to just four points in the first two quarters, Newsome exploded the rest of the way with his team-high 23 points highlighted by a go-ahead triple and a tough baseline jumper that enabled the Bolts to seal the deal.
Meralco bounced back from a 91-105 loss to Ginebra last Sunday and improved to an even 2-2 slate.
“We definitely wanted to come out with more energy,” said Newsome, who also had seven rebounds and six assists while scoring eight of his points in the extra period.
“We just wanted to come out, play with a lot of energy, play with a lot of heart and do everything to come out with a win tonight.”
Rookie Aaron Black and Trevis Jackson also came up with clutch hits the Bolts handed the Hotshots their third loss in four games.
The son of Meralco coach Norman Black capped his career-best 16 points with a triple in OT while Jackson scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter with his free throw making it 94-92.
Paul Lee, who had 32 points, calmly sank two charities that tied the game at 94-all before OT was forced when Newsome missed a jumper.
Sadly for the Hotshots, they couldn’t generate the push needed in the extra period. — Noli Cortez
