The Meralco Bolts are in the semis of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup—and they earned their spot for sure.
Known for their blue-collar approach and precise execution, the Bolts seemingly found a mirror match of their style but maybe even better, more polished, more talented. And it took every bit of Meralco to eke out a 105-102 victory in overtime in a game that featured drama, spectacular individual playmaking, and tension.
Meralco Shows Heart
While the Hotshots didn’t dictate Game 2 the way they did Game 1, they were pretty much in front for most of the first three quarters, mostly thanks to Mark Barroca’s veteran leadership. But the Bolts, in danger of losing three straight to the same team, began seizing control in the fourth, digging deep to make stops and plays on offense.
Pretty soon, Meralco had built an 82-76 cushion, only to see Magnolia fight back behind Jerom Lastimosa to send the game to extra time. There, once more, the Bolts rose to the occasion, doing just enough to finally fend off the pesky Hotshots and book the third semis seat.
For Meralco’s leader, Chris Newsome, the win was a testament to the Bolts’ heart and execution—two things that were on full display for much of the game.
“For us, it’s about showing heart, just going out and playing every possession like it’s our last. It’s a do-or-die, and we really played like it tonight,” Newsome said postgame. “Composure is the name of the game when it comes to playoff basketball, and we have to be able to execute well and stick to the game plan. And I’m glad the guys stuck to it after those back-to-back losses.”
Indeed, the Bolts needed plenty of composure, especially in the face of Lastimosa’s scintillating one-man act. Any other team would have watched the former Adamson Falcon steal that game away. But Meralco stayed composed and ultimately forced Lastimosa into a crucial turnover that sealed the win.
Finding Ways to Win
Luigi Trillo agreed with Newsome while also emphasizing how his team just found enough ways to win amidst the adversity.
“He [Nenad Vučinić] told the guys at the half that we’re right there, we needed to clean some things up, and eventually these guys pulled through. Gutted it out and found a way,” Trillo mused.
The Bolts certainly found a way. Whether it was Bong Quinto coming up big with a massive triple in regulation, Cliff Hodge making an open corner jumper in OT, or that defense forcing one last stop on Lastimosa, Meralco made just enough plays to beat a game Magnolia squad.
Now, Newsome and these same Bolts will need to find a way against a familiar rival—the TNT Tropang 5G.
