Meralco turned to Chris Newsome in the final stages and the Bolts grabbed a 3-2 lead against San Miguel in their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals series last Friday, June 14.
Undaunted despite facing multititled San Miguel, Meralco took Game 5, 92-88, to inch closer towards a maiden crown in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup on Friday, June 14.
Showing stability at endgame, Chris Newsome once again delivered the finishing blows as he sank a pair of free throws with just six seconds left and the Bolts found themselves holding a 3-2 edge in a best-of-seven finals series for the first time.
[ALSO READ: Spoiler Alert: Meralco deals San Miguel heartbreaks in past PBA crucial battles]
Sherwin Vardeleon shares more of Game 5 through his photos below.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Breakthrough title for Meralco or extension for San Miguel?]
San Miguel seven-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo cannot be denied as he rewrote his season-high with 38 points.
Meralco tries but it cannot contain June Mar Fajardo who also collars 18 rebounds for his 14th straight double-double.
Bolts gunner Allein Maliksi recovers his offensive touch after a three-game struggle.
Beermen veteran Vic Manuel collides with Meralco big man Cliff Hodge's arm.
SUPER MO. San Miguel's Mo Tautuaa is ready for the loose ball battle.
CJ Perez is smothered by the Meralco quartet.
June Mar Fajardo takes a moment on the floor after suffering a cut in the second quarter.
CJ Perez struggles with a 4-for-16 shooting clip.
Raymond Almazan produces 14-points for the Bolts to bounce back from a woeful two-point showing in Game 4.
Meralco ace Chris Newsome is clutch.