MANILA – Meralco Bolts showed its steadiness in the endgame to beat Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots, 81-75, in Game 2 of 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
With the score knotted at 66 apiece, the Bolts got a three-pointer from Chris Newsome and inside conversions from import Tony Bishop to take a 76-68 lead with two minutes left.
The Hotshots threatened to within 71-76 and 75-80 with under a minute left but a crucial shotclock blunder by the referees allowed the Bolts to escape with the win.
Bishop recovered from his subpar showing in Game 1 with double-double 22 points and 14 rebounds as the Bolts tied the best-of-five semifinals showdown at 1-1.
Newsome chipped in 18 markers, mostly in the opening half, while Aaron Black and Chris Banchero contributed 14 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bolts.
Mike Harris led the way with double-double 25 points and 17 rebounds, Paul Lee struggled with just 10 markers, on 3-of-16 shooting, for the Hotshots.
Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, meanwhile, moved closer to a return trip to the finals after a 104-94 triumph over NLEX Road Warriors in Game 2 of their separate best-of-five semifinals series.
After being down by 11 points in the opening quarter, the Kings stormed back in the second quarter behind Nard John Pinto and Justin Brownlee to snatch a 55-49 halftime edge.
The Kings continued its run in the third as the lead reached at 82-66. The Road Warriors rallied to within nine but timely treys by LA Tenorio and Earl Scottie Thompson sealed the win for Ginebra.
Brownlee finished with 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Thompson and Christian Standhardinger chipped in 17 points each for the defending champions Kings.
BOX SCORE:
MERALCO 81 – Bishop 22, Newsome 18, Black 14, Banchero 10, Maliksi 6, Almazan 5, Hugnatan 3, Quinto 2, Jose 1, Hodge 0, Caram 0, Baclao 0.
MAGNOLIA 75 – Harris 25, Lee 10, Sangalang 9, Abueva 9, Dela Rosa 7, Jalalon 6, Corpuz 3, Barroca 3, Wong 3, Dionisio 0, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 20-15, 42-37, 66-61, 81-75./PN
