There were many heroes for Meralco in its dismantling of Ginebra in Game Two of their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal series on Sunday, May 19.
Meralco needed a seven-to-nothing blast down the stretch to turn back Ginebra, 103-91, in Game Two to even their best-of-seven semifinal battle in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay on Sunday, May 19.
The Bolts squandered a 17-point lead early in the third period as Christian Standhardinger rallied the Gin Kings in the frame. But Meralco got its act together and made sure there was no more collapse in the final stages as it held on for the much-needed victory.
The Bolts thus made up for a sorry 88-92 loss to Ginebra in the series opener last Friday, May 17.
Christian Standhardinger sizzles with 18 points in the third quarter to help Ginebra erase a 17-point deficit against Meralco. | Photo (c) RM Chua
Raymond Almazan ignited the pivotal late run for the Bolts, bunching together five straight points before Chris Newsome scored on a shot clock-beating layup for a 95-87 lead with 3:30 left to play.
“I think we’re more aligned today. But there are some things we need to improve on,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo, whose team spoiled a 41-point career game from Standhardinger.
Heroes were aplenty for the Bolts in Game Two.
Allein Maliksi could not connect from deep but found a way to produce a team-best output of 25 points. Newsome fired 20 markers while Cliff Hodge had 13 points and 10 boards.
Chris Newsome of Meralco goes for a basket against Ginebra's Christian Standhardinger and Japeth Aguilar. | Photo (c) RM Chua
Chris Banchero added 11, including four of the last six points of Meralco.
Meanwhile, Standhardinger did not get as much help from the rest of the Gin Kings.
Chris Banchero delivers a pair of baskets in Meralco's finishing blow. | Photo (c) RM Chua
Apart from him, only Maverick Ahanmisi (14 points) and Stanley Pringle (13) finished in double figures.
"It's not about only Christian. It's about getting contributions from everybody. We didn't have positive minutes from the other guys," said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.
The Scores:
MERALCO 103 – Maliksi 25, Newsome 20, Hodge 13, Banchero 11, Almazan 7, Quinto 7, Mendoza 6, Bates 6, Pascual 5, Caram 3, Rios 0, Torres 0.
GINEBRA 91 – Standhardinger 41, Ahanmisi 14, Pringle 13, Aguilar 7, Thompson 6, Cu 6, Onwubere 3, Tenorio 1, David 0, Pinto 0, Murrell 0.
Quarterscores: 32-27, 55-42, 73-74, 103-91