By REYNALD MAGALLON
Not even a herculean effort from June Mar Fajardo could keep Meralco from getting at the doorstep of history
Chris Newsome and Allein Maliksi provided a deadly one-two punch as the Bolts escaped the San Miguel Beermen with a nerve-wracking 92-88 victory to move on cusp of their very first PBA title in Game 5 of the Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, June 14.
Maliksi provided the spark off the bench before Newsome took over in the second half to help the Bolts survive a monstrous game from Fajardo, who erupted for 38 points and collared 18 rebounds for the Beermen.
After being limited to single digits in the first four games, Maliksi fired 22 points – half of which he unloaded in the first half – to help Meralco overcome the initial onslaught from SMB.
Newsome, then, shrugged off a slow start and exploded for 17 of his 22 points in the last two quarters, none bigger than the two-pressure packed free throws which he coolly sank to give Meralco the 92-88 lead with six seconds left.
The Bolts, leaning on what they do best all-conference long – their defense – clamped down on the Beermen and forced Marcio Lassiter to a miss on the well-challenged step-back triple in the waning seconds.
After allowing SMB to dictate the pace and explode for 111 points in Game 4, Meralco made a conscious effort in slowing down the Beermen offense which they limited back below 90 points for the third time in the Finals series.
With the win, Meralco has also taken its first-ever 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series including its four finals appearance against Barangay Ginebra.
The Bolts can complete their destiny and win their first title ever since joining the league in 2010 in the Game 7 on Sunday, June 16 at the same venue.
Newsome added five rebounds and five assists to his name while Raymond Almazan added 14 points and Chris Banchero with 12.
CJ Perez added 17 points to backstop Fajardo but there was basically no one after them in scoring for the Beermen.
The adjustments on the defensive end were very much apparent in the second half when the Bolts dared the Beermen to go exclusively on Fajardo while making sure that no one from the rest of his supporting cast would get a clean look at the basket.
The ploy paid dividends particularly in the final frame when Meralco unloaded a 10-2 run with SMB basically getting nothing from anyone on the floor outside Fajardo.
The spurt turned a 78-76 lead into 10-points cushion 88-78 with 5:22 left.
The lead proved to be enough to cushion another late attack from SMB which still came within three, 87-90 after a booming CJ Perez trey.
SMB played the foul game but Newsome was too steady from the foul line shooting a perfect 10-of-10 clip in the contest to ensure the win.
The 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
