Meralco breaks deadlock vs San Miguel, moves on cusp of PBA Philippine Cup title

Chris Newsome picked up where he left off while Allein Maliksi provided the help as Meralco survived a back-and-forth Game 5 against San Miguel, 92-88, and moved on cusp of the PBA Philippine Cup title on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Newsome, who unleashed a huge career-high 40-point outing in their Game 4 loss, took charge down the stretch to help the Bolts inch closer to a breakthrough franchise title.

The Bolts turned things around in the fourth quarter after a strong third frame showing from the Beermen, where recently-crowned Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo dropped 14 of his overall output. But Meralco regained consciousness in the final period with Newsome nailing back-to-back baskets to bring his camp to an 84-76 lead. 

Another bucket from him made it an 86-78 cushion for the resurgent Bolts before his dime led to a Raymond Almazan basket that allowed Meralco to secure a double-digit advantage in the crucial juncture. 

Allein Maliksi, who once powered a 10-2 rampage late in the third, sank another jumper in the final 3:20 to keep the lead on the side of the Bolts, who are eager to bounce back from a 111-101 Game 4 loss. 

CJ Perez still tried to rally the defending champions with a triple and a split from the stripe, but two freebies from Newsome put the punctuation for Meralco. 

Both Newsome and Maliksi tallied 22 points with the former grabbing five rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block while Almazan and Chris Banchero added 14 and 12 markers apiece. 

The loss spoiled Fajardo's 38-point performance that he spiked with 18 boards, two dimes, and two blocks. Perez, who shot poorly from the field with 4-of-16 percentage, finished with a double-double output as well with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Meralco will look to seal the deal come Game 6 this Sunday while the Beermen will hope to force another deadlock and a deciding Game 7.

Scores:

Meralco 92 – Maliksi 22, Newsome 22, Almazan 14, Banchero 12, Quinto 8, Bates 6, Hodge 6, Caram 2, Rios 0, Torres 0, Pascual 0.

San Miguel 88 – Fajardo 38, Perez 17, Lassiter 6, Romeo 6, Cruz 6, Tautuaa 5, Trollano 5, Ross 3, Manuel 2.

Quarters: 24-25, 47-46, 69-70, 92-88.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News