Newsome delivers game-winner vs Converge as Meralco opens PBA Philippine Cup title defense bid

Chris Newsome delivered the game-winner as Meralco eked out a 91-89 victory against Converge to open its title defense bid in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Bolts were trailing 89-83 with 2:21 remaining in the fourth quarter before Bong Quinto drilled a triple with 1:35 left. Newsome also connected from rainbow country to tie the game with a minute left.

With less than 15 seconds left, the ball ended up on Newsome's hands and he waited for around 10 more seconds before driving to the basket. With around two seconds left, Newsome sank the ball to deliver what would eventually be the game-winner for the Bolts.

Meralco trailed 27-7 with 3:43 left before a second quarter surge put the Bolts within two, 44-42, by the end of the first half.

Newsome had 15 points to go with six boards, four assists, and a steal, while Quinto had 14 points. Raymond Almazan, meanwhile, had 13 points and 12 boards for the Bolts who played without injured players Chris Banchero and Allein Maliksi.

Justin Arana, meanwhile, led Converge with 23 points, while Alec Stockton had 17 points. Justine Baltazar, meanwhile, had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Scores:

Meralco 91 – Newsome 15, Quinto 14, Almazan 13, Black 10, Jose 10, Reyson 8, Caram 6, Rios 5, Torres 3, Hodge 3, Cansino 2, Pascual 2, Bates 0, Pasaol 0.

Converge 89 – Arana 23, Stockton 17, Baltazar 14, Winston 13, Garcia 6, Santos 5, Delos Santos 4, Racal 2, Corpuz 2, Caralipio 2, Nermal 1, Ambohot 0, R. Santos 0, Suerte 0.

Quarters: 22-34, 42-44, 63-66, 91-89.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News