Raymar Jose provides spark as Meralco holds off SMB, equalizes semis series

Raymar Jose provided a huge lift down the stretch as Meralco evened its semifinals series against San Miguel with a 99-88 victory in Game 2 of their best-of-seven affair in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Friday.

Down 72-70 late in the third, Meralco scored six straight points courtesy of Raymond Almazan and Allein Maliksi as they regained the lead, 76-72, before heading into the payoff period where Jose took care of business.

The former FEU bruiser unleashed 10 points in the fourth quarter alone to help give Bolts a much-needed 88-79 cushion with 5:26 left in the game.

Cliff Hodge, who has been a consistent offensive force for the Bolts all tournament long, then put on the finishing kick, going for an offensive rebound and a layup as their lead ballooned to 99-85.

A last-gasp triple from CJ Perez made it a 99-88 affair but Meralco held on en route to the win that also saw Meralco head coach Norman Black return to the bench after a month-long absence.

Jose finished with 13 points and four rebounds in 19 minutes of action off the bench while Hodge led Meralco with a double-double of 17 markers, 14 rebounds, and one assist.

June Mar Fajardo registered another all-around performance of 22 points, 17 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks while Marcio Lassiter and CJ Perez chipped in 16 and 14 markers each.

Game 3 of the series is on Sunday, August 7, at 6:30 p.m.

—JMB, GMA News