Chris Newsome scored a career-high 40 points but could not get Meralco over the hump in Game 4 of the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 12.
Not even a career-high performance could console Chris Newsome in the aftermath of Meralco's 111-101 Game 4 loss to San Miguel in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 12.
Newsome battered the Beermen on all fronts on his way to a career-high 40 points. But San Miguel went on to tie the best-of-seven series at two games apiece.
The Bolts skipper said a win simply outweighs his scoring feat.
“Forty points, but we lost. I’ll trade that 40 points for a win any day. It's great that I scored 40, but, for me, the win is definitely more important,” said Newsome post-match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But there is no point in dwelling in the past now.
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Newsome went on to praise the Beermen for better adjustments in Game 4 which also saw the return of Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel from an injury and illness, respectively.
“They made their adjustments. That’s what a playoff series is all about. They definitely came in with a lot more energy. We definitely saw that. I think the presence of guys like Vic and Terrence did a lot for them,” said Newsome.
“We failed to take advantage of it. The fact that they didn’t really have any rhythm in the series, so that could have been an opportunity for us to really take advantage of, those guys that haven’t been playing.”
Among San Miguel's improvements were in sharing the ball and in clamping down on defense with an energy that came with a two-day rest since Sunday's Game 3.
Newsome carrying the bulk of the load for Meralco turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the Beermen.
“As long as the rest don’t score, we’re fine. He (Newsome) had his 40, but we kind of stopped the rest of them. Very happy for that,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent, whose team had 20 assists.
Gallent was on point.
Usually reliable gunners like Allein Maliksi and Bong Quinto were non-factors for much of the game. They combined for 15 points.
But now, it’s the Bolts' turn to punch back in what has become a back-and-forth, race-fo-four finale.
“It’s [down to] a best of three. It’s going to come down to who’s playing their best basketball at the right time. It’s a tough loss for us today, but that’s why we got the win last game (Game 3): So we could have that advantage. Now, it’s back to square one. It’s our turn to punch back,” said Newsome.
“We got a day of rest, then we're back at it on Friday. It’s going to be a grind out for the rest of the series. But we’re going to have the energy. We’re going to have to stay focused and get back to playing our basketball," he added.
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Game 5 is set on Friday, June 14, at the same venue. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.