By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Meralco Bolts squandered a lead as high as 17 points before holding off the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 103-91, in Game 2 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Sunday, May 19.
Ahead 60-43 early in the third quarter, the Bolts saw their lead turned into a 79-80 deficit midway through the fourth quarter behind consecutive attacks from Gin Kings’ Christian Standhardinger.
The Bolts responded with baskets from Allein Maliksi, Chris Newsome and Chris Banchero to take an 86-82 lead, but the Gin Kings answered with baskets from Standhardinger to cut it to 87-88.
Meralco then went on with their finishing run as Raymond Almazan drilled back-to-back baskets followed by connections from Newsome, Banchero and Kier John Quinto to make it a 103-91 lead.
Maliksi anchored the Bolts’ offense with 25 points, while Newsome contributed 20 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal as they knotted the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
Hodge posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Banchero tallied 10 markers and eight boards for the Bolts, which bounced back from a 92-88 Game 1 loss last May 17.
Standhardinger finished with a career-high of 41 points and 11 rebounds for the Gin Kings, but failed to get much-needed support, as only Maverick Ahanmisi and Stanley Pringle contributed double-digit offense with 14 and 13, respectively.
Meanwhile, the San Miguel Beermen displayed their offensive firepower to dominate the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 106-89, to take a 2-0 edge in the best-of-seven Final Four series.
June Mar Fajardo tallied a double-double of 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Jaymar Perez also dished out a double-double performance of 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Beermen.
Terrence Romeo delivered 16 points off-the-bench, including three outside shots, while Marcio Lassiter and Celedonio Trollano ended with 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the defending champions./ASC, WDJ
MERALCO 103 — Maliksi 25, Newsome 20, Hodge 13, Banchero 11, Almazan 7, Quinto 7, Mendoza 6, Bates 6, Pascual 5, Caram 3, Rios 0, Torres 0.
GINEBRA 91 — Standhardinger 41, Ahanmisi 14, Pringle 13, J. Aguilar 7, Thompson 6, Cu 6, Onwubere 3, Tenorio 1, David 0, Pinto 0, Murrell 0.
Quarterscores: 32-27, 55-42, 73-74, 103-91.