Bolts come together to crush undermanned Hotshots
Just about a week ago, Chris Newsome was talking about how returning Meralco import Allen Durham is finally catching up to speed with the Bolts.
In that same chat, the two-way star also underscored the importance of the locals being ready in the event the do-it-all forward—who willed the club to multiple Finals appearances—figures in an off night.
“It’s nice to see him get back into form, but you know it’s gonna take a team effort. So we all gonna be there and ready for the next move,” Newsome said.
The moment he was bracing for came on Saturday night at Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism Cultural and Sports Center in Davao del Norte, when Meralco had to hold off undermanned but pesky Magnolia for an 82-74 victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Newsome had 21 points eight rebounds and three assists as Bong Quinto chipped in 16 points—the final two coming off a tough hook shot with 1:20 left that pretty much upended the hard-fighting Hotshots, who kept replacement import and former San Miguel standout Shabazz Muhammad glued to the bench.
Meralco thus improved to 5-1 overall to ease out front of Group A while also becoming the hottest team in the season-opening Governors’ Cup.
Durham, who was frosty throughout the contest on the road, finished with just 15 points and 15 rebounds, his unlikely subpar outing hardly noticed with the Bolts’ locals stepping up for a fourth-straight victory in the showcase.
With a Fiba clearance yet to come, Muhammad was unable to help the Hotshots, who saw their two-game streak end and slide to a 3-3 mark.
Sophomore Zavier Lucero had 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, and Jerick Balanza were all limited to under 12 points as Magnolia struggled with a horrendous 29.1 percent shooting from the field.
Meralco will try to stretch its blistering run against sister team TNT on Sept. 12, while Magnolia hopes to rebound against hapless Terrafirma on the same playdate. INQ
