PBA: Meralco fends off epic Blackwater fightback, wins second in a row

Meralco nearly collapsed from an 18-point lead after a wild Blackwater comeback, but held on to take a 116-114 win in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

Chris Newsome churned out 16 markers capped by the layup in the final 3.9 seconds that ultimately sealed the two-point victory for the Bolts, who now improve to 2-1 in Group B. Blackwater absorbed its first loss to go 2-1 as well.

Chris Banchero sizzled from downtown with three four-point shots, including the one that sent the Bolts to a comfortable 110-92 lead in the fourth period before the Bossing rampage. Banchero finished with 16 points, three rebounds, and four assists.

Antonio Hester, meanwhile, posted 25 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists while CJ Cansino and Cliff Hodge chipped in 15 and 14 markers for the Bolts.

"They had no quit and that's a testament to what coach Pat's been doing there. They're playing really good so you credit Blackwater," Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo said.

"Good na lang we were able to shoot that last shot on that pass to New. Again, you credit Blackwater. You look at our group, Phoenix and Blackwater, those guys you think they should be at the bottom of the standings but baliktad."

After Banchero hit that long bomb that created an 18-point cushion for Meralco, Blackwater didn't cave in and instead put up a massive fight similar to what it displayed to take down Rain or Shine and Magnolia in its first two games.

The backcourt tandem of Sedrick Barefield and RK Ilagan fueled the 22-6 closing run alongside import Kentrell Barkley.

Ilagan completed back-to-back and-one plays before Barkley knocked down a triple and Barefield buried back-to-back layups as the Bossing pulled to within three, 113-110, with still 3:56 left in the game.

Ilagan then hit a tough floater then drained a long jumper over the defense of Hester to tie things up at 114-all in the final 1:31.

Blackwater, though, missed its next four attempts as Banchero secured the defensive rebound and issued the pass to Newsome, who sank a crucial layup to give the Bolts a two-point lead in the waning seconds.

Ilagan had enough time to come up with either a game-winning shot or a game-tying basket, but the guard accidentally dribbled the ball on his left foot as the Bolts completed the hard-fought win.

Barefield posted 29 points while Barkley had a double-double of 28 markers and 10 rebounds. Ilagan finished with 20 points, including 16 in the second half.

The scores:

Meralco 116 - Hester 25, Newsome 16, Banchero 16, Cansino 15, Hodge 14, Maliksi 8, Quinto 7, Black 6, Brickman 5, Mocon 2, Bates 2.

Blackwater 114 - Barefield 29, Barkley 28, Ilagan 20, Panopio 11, Austria 9, Tratter 7, Demusis 4, Una 2, Murrell 2, Escoto 2, Mendoza 0, Cruz-Dumont 0.

Quarters: 26-29, 61-57, 98-81, 116-114.

—JMB, GMA News