Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome celebrates after leading his team to the PBA Philippine Cup championship.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Chris Newsome is aware that an old trophy from Meralco’s gloried past used to be on display somewhere in the company sports complex in Ortigas where the Bolts regularly hold their practices.
He had hoped to see the 1971 MICAA Open title sitting alongside the Jun Bernardino Perpetual Trophy, which the Bolts were awarded for being the PBA Philippine Cup champion after they defeated San Miguel, 4-2, in the best-of-seven series after an 80-78 win on Sunday night where Newsome hit the winning basket at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Newsome has done his part, finally helping the franchise to its first PBA title. And Meralco will now have to do its part with Newsome entering unrestricted free agency.
READ: PBA: Newsome’s ‘most significant’ shot seals crowning moment
“Whenever this Finals is done, we have time to reevaluate the situation,” Newsome had told the Inquirer before the series began. “Of course, the result of this Finals could play a lot into negotiations when it comes to free agency.”
How the favorable result was arrived at will surely come into play after Newsome drained a fallaway jumper with 1.3 seconds left that saved the Bolts from an implosion that saw them blow a 17-point lead in the first half.
With Newsome being part of the 2015 Draft class that will be eligible for unrestricted free agency, Meralco effectively loses its rights on the 33-year-old swingman.
READ: PBA: Chris Newsome repays Meralco ‘faith’ with title-clinching shot
This will be the second off-season that such players have been accorded the huge privilege. It started last year when those who entered in 2014 took advantage of the rule implemented three years ago which players like Chris Banchero, Barangay Ginebra’s Nards Pinto and Maverick Ahanmisi took advantage of.
Newsome, though, has not played for any other team than Meralco, a big plus when he considers his next career move.
Banchero left Phoenix in 2022 to sign with Meralco, Pinto opted to join Barangay Ginebra after several years with Meralco while Ahanmisi switched from Converge before the start of this season.