Down 2-3 in the series after holding a 2-1 lead, Meralco did not fold up against playoff rival Ginebra Friday night.
With its back against the wall, Meralco just needed a pep talk to turn things around and get the better of its playoff rival Ginebra in the semifinals of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup.
It was from no less than Manny V. Pangilinan.
It could not have come at a better time as the Bolts were then facing the specter of elimination after the Gin Kings shut them down in Game Five, 89-84, to grab a 3-2 upperhand in the best-of-seven series.
"We had a meeting with MVP when we were down 3-2. He told us to believe," said Meralco guard Chris Banchero.
They, indeed, believed.
Reinforced by their big boss' reassuring words, the Bolts stepped it up big time and outdueled the Gin Kings in Games Six, 86-81, and Seven, 78-69, to advance to the finals of the All-Filipino conference for the first time where they will meet idle titleholder San Miguel.
After the feat Friday night, May 31, that gave Meralco its breakthrough best-of-seven series win and Game Seven triumph in franchise history, Banchero lauded his teammates for getting the job done.
"Credit to everybody. I thought everybody did a great job today. Man, that was a dogfight. I'm just happy we got that win," said Banchero, who finished with a team-high 24 points and was named Player of the Game.
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But things are about to get tougher from here on out for the Bolts, who set up a best-of-seven Last Dance against the top-seeded San Miguel.
Though Meralco is coming in as the obvious underdogs, Banchero believes that the Bolts could pull the rug from under the winningest franchise in league history the way they did in the elimination round.
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"We're going against, obviously, the top team this conference. They won the championship last year. They have a really good team and coaching staff," Banchero said.
"But so do we. I think it's going to be an amazing series. I know we're all excited. Don't get too high on this, just keep pushing forward."
Game One is set on Wednesday, June 5, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.