Meralco’s Chris Newsome. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Meralco staged a mighty comeback to stun Magnolia, 95-94, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Down 13 with only two minutes left, the Bolts showed no quit as Chris Newsome and Mac Belo led their charge by scoring 12 of their team’s last 15 points.
Newsome hit the go-ahead layup as time expired while Belo fired seven of his game-high 22 points during Meralco’s blistering 15-1 closing run.
🎥 Awesome NEWSOME FTW!!!
Meralco snatches the victory, 95-94. #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/BPCroJWiMz
— PBA (@pbaconnect) September 1, 2021
The Hotshots, who lost for the first time after a 4-0 start, only managed to score a point after taking a 93-80 lead at the two-minute mark.
Meralco climbed to 5-1, taking sole possession of second place behind the only undefeated team left in TNT, which clobbered Blackwater, 96-76, earlier for its fourth win in a row.
Cliff Hodge added 18 points and 11 rebounds while veteran big man Reynel Hugnatan had 15 points for the Bolts. Newsome, who also sank a triple that pulled Meralco to within one, 93-94, finished with 14.
🎥 25.0 4q Newsome 3! Meralco down by a thread, 93-94. #PBAiTuloyAngLaban pic.twitter.com/bg6Ie5B789
— PBA (@pbaconnect) September 1, 2021
Paul Lee paced Magnolia, which turned the ball over four times inside the final 1:25, with 21 points.
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