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ANTIPOLO — Meralco continued its hot streak after taking down No. 3 Alaska, 97-92, in Game 1 of their best-of-five semifinals in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday at Ynares Sports Arena here.
Allen Durham was in his usual dominating self as he finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to power the Bolts, who have now won their seventh straight game.
“I think we’re just running on adrenaline, running on emotions right now just having made the semis two days ago,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black, who celebrated his 61st birthday.
“Defense was pretty good for the most part. AD (Durham) also had a very good game for us again. Newsome stepped up, hit some big shots down the stretch when Alaska was threatening,” Black added.
The Bolts led by double digits majority of the game before the Aces rallied.
Alaska kept coming back but fortunately for Meralco, Newsome was there to keep the Aces at bay. Newsome hit a 3-pointer to extend the lead back to nine with 3:42 left before scoring a layup to make it, 93-84, with 59 seconds remaining.
Game 2 is on Tuesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Newsome had 16 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals while Baser Amer added 14 points, four rebounds and three steals.
Mike Harris led Alaska, which trailed by as much as 16 points, with 37 points and 18 rebounds.