PBA: Meralco foils Ginebra closeout bid, forces semis Game 7

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup

Meralco Bolts’ Bong Quinto during the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals game against Ginebra Gin Kings. –PBA IMAGES

Meralco pushed its PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series with Barangay Ginebra to a deciding seventh game after getting an 86-81 victory Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Bong Quinto and Allein Maliksi hit most of the shots the Bolts made in the fourth quarter as they thwarted the Gin Kings’ first shot at making the Finals and set up a sudden death showdown outside of the metropolis.

The decider is set Friday at FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas, the winner facing the San Miguel Beermen for the championship.

READ: PBA: Ginebra takes first of two closeout chances vs Meralco

Quinto posted 23 points while Maliksi caught fire in the fourth with 12 of his 14 points in the last period to propel Meralco’s refusal to end its season.

Chris Newsome added 21 points even with a 6-of-21 shooting while also producing four rebounds and three assists.

Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar had 19 points apiece but the Gin Kings couldn’t get the job done on their first try.

Meralco led by 11 in the first quarter, then responded from a Ginebra rally and erased a seven-point deficit to go ahead 38-37 at the break.

The game was tight until the fourth when Quinto and Maliksi came through with shots that enabled the Bolts to create separation from the Gin Kings.

PBA scores:

MERALCO 86—Quinto 23, Newsome 21, Maliksi 14, Hodge 10, Banchero 9, Almazan 7, Bates 2, Pascual 0, Caram 0, Jose 0.

GINEBRA 81—J.Aguilar 19, Standhardinger 19, Ahanmisi 13, Pringle 12, Thompson 9, Tenorio 3, Pinto 3, Cu 3, Murrell 0, Pessumal 0.

Quarters: 19-18, 38-37, 54-53, 86-81.