Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Meralco took care of business on Thursday night and held off Terrfirma, 105-89, in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Chris Newsome led the way with 19 points, while Raymond Almazan added 14 that went with nine rebounds as the Bolts wrapped up their elimination round campaign with a 7-4 record which puts them right in the middle of the pack of playoff-bound clubs.
“(Terrafirma) came to play. It was a tough game, we had to earn it. But we got the job. What matters now is we solidified ourselves in a best-of-three,” said assistant Luigi Trillo, who is standing in for coach Norman Black who remains in the United States, grieving his mother Bessie’s passing.
Aaron Black chipped in 16 points, Allein Maliksi also 14, while Bong Quinto 13 as Meralco gird for a familiar foe.
More than half of the scenarios have the club meeting old tormentor Barangay Ginebra in a best-of-three quarterfinals series that unfurls next week.
The Bolts lost to the Gin Kings on a Scottie Thompson triple in the deciding Game 5 of the Philippine Cup semifinals back in 2020 in their last playoff meeting.
Black and his charges haven’t been to figure out in a Tim Cone and his wards either in the import-laced Governors’ Cup, where they met four times in the last five editions of the tournament.
Aldrech Ramos had 24 points, Eric Camson 14 while Joshua Munzon and Andreas Cahilig 13 each for Terrafirma, which is ending their conference without a single win in 11 games.