CHRIS Newsome went through a rough shooting night, but still found other ways to help Meralco hit an immediate target Sunday.
Newsome had a crucial block and a steal in the stretch that enabled the Bolts to foil the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 92-86, and keep alive their hopes of realizing a coveted playoff spot in the PBA Governors' Cup at the PhilSports Arena.
Such an endgame performance typified Meralco's defensive tenacity that came to the fore after Phoenix came charging back from as much as a 15-point deficit to threaten inside the last 2:08 of the game.
Du'vaughn Maxwell's charities even brought the Fuel Masters within 84-90 and they had the chance to inch closer when Aaron Black committed a passing error to Javee Mocon.
But Newsome came up with his swipe and rifle pass to Raymond Almazan for an easy layup that put the outcome beyond doubt, 92-84, with only 41 seconds left.
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In the end, Meralco finished the eliminations with a 7-4 record for fifth and now must wait if that would be enough for it to at least play off for a slot among the top four and the twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals such a finish entails.
Ties for the three remaining slots behind TNT could actually still develop among 7-2 San Miguel Beer, 6-2 Barangay Ginebra and 7-3 NLEX, but Meralco's sights are fixed on the Road Warriors, whom the Bolts handily beat last Feb. 23 and are set to meet SMB on March 15.
"We still have to wait and see what happens with NLEX," said Bolts coach Norman Black. "NLEX still controls its own fate."
For the moment, Black is pleased enough with the way his crew managed to adjust and do enough to counter Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin's variety of defensive schemes.
"At first, we were having a difficult time recognizing what they were doing and finally settled on what we could do against everything. No matter what he threw at us, just run one or two things that worked for us in the third and fourth quarters," said Black.
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"But that first half was pretty ugly and even up to the end of the game it wasn't exactly pretty."
Before Newsome atoned for an eight-point performance, on a 3-of-13 field shooting, KJ McDaniels, Chris Banchero, Aaron Black and Bong Quinto did their part on the offensive end and propped Meralco to as much as a 90-75 lead.
As a result, Phoenix wrapped up its eliminations campaign with a 4-7 slate and must now also wait if it would be tied at eighth by 3-7 NorthPort, which battles TNT also on March 15. Such a tie would be broken by a playoff. (NC)
The Scores:
Meralco 92 - McDaniels 19, Black 18, Banchero 13, Hodge 12, Quinto 9, Newsome 8, Almazan 7, Caram 3, Pasaol 3, Jose 0.
Phoenix 86 - Maxwell 29, Serrano 20, Perkins 13, Tio 7, Jazul 6, Camacho 3, Muyang 2, Manganti 2, Mocon2, Garcia 2, Lalata 0, Alejandro 0.
Quarters: 23-22, 47-49, 73-68, 92-86.
