PBA: Chris Newsome sparks Meralco win over Magnolia

Meralco guard Chris Newsome in the PBA Governors’ Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco held off Magnolia on Saturday night, 82-74, to claim leadership of the PBA Governors’ Cup Group A.

The Bolts bucked Allen Durham’s subpar outing and made the most out of the Hotshots’ roster woes for a wire-to-wire victory at Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism Cultural and Sports Center in Davao del Norte.

Chris Newsome led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds, while Bong Quinto added 16 points for Meralco, who rose to a 5-1 win-loss mark, moving a shade over sister team TNT.

READ: PBA: Chris Newsome’s return to Meralco from injury ends in win

Zavier Lucero had 14 points and 13 rebounds, as Mark Barroca, Paul Lee and Jeric Balanza toiled for their double-digit scores in what could be easily Magnolia’s worst shooting night in a long while.

The Hotshots were 29.1 percent from the field as Magnolia’s import replacement Shabaz Muhammad watched helplessly on the sidelines as he has yet to secure a Letter of Clearance from Fiba.

Meralco will try to stretch its blistering run against sister team TNT on Sept. 12, while Magnolia hopes to rebound against hapless Terrafirma on the same playdate.