MANILA — Kier John Quinto came through with clutch baskets and pressure free throws in the dying seconds as Meralco Bolts escaped Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 105-102, in a thrilling do-or-die quarterfinal showdown to punch a semifinal berth in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Quinto scored eight of his 11 points in the crucial stretch, including a tough go-ahead basket with the shot clock winding down that snapped a 100-all deadlock and swung the momentum firmly in favor of the fourth-seeded Bolts.
After Magnolia’s Jerom Lastimosa tied the contest at 100-all from the free-throw line, Quinto calmly drained a difficult jumper to hand Meralco a 102-100 lead with under a minute left.
The Hotshots still had a chance to force overtime, but Lastimosa split his charities, while CJ Cansino and Quinto each converted enough from the foul line to preserve the narrow victory and complete Meralco’s escape.
Import Marvin Jones powered the Bolts with 28 points, while Chris Newsome added 18 markers. Cansino and veteran Clifford Hodge chipped in 16 and 14 points, respectively, as Meralco advanced to the semifinals.
Lastimosa paced Magnolia with 28 points, while import Clinton Chapman tallied 26 before fouling out early in the fourth quarter. Andy Mark Barroca also contributed 24 markers in the losing effort.
Meanwhile, TNT Tropang 5G wiped out the twice-to-beat advantage of sister team NLEX Road Warriors with a 118-112 triumph in their own knockout quarterfinals clash.
Import Bol Manute Bol overcame early foul trouble and erupted for 35 points and 13 rebounds to tow TNT into the semifinals against Meralco.
Roger Pogoy added 21 points, while Calvin Oftana and Jayson Castro chipped in 20 and 14 markers, respectively, as the Tropang 5G kept their title-retention bid alive.
Cady Lalanne exploded for 46 points for the Road Warriors, while Deschon Winston and Robert Bolick Jr. contributed 24 and 16 markers, respectively. /PN
