By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Meralco Bolts relied on Chris Newsome’s endgame connections to defeat the San Miguel Beermen, 93-89, in Game 3 of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night, June 9.

The Beermen were on top, 89-88, after two June Mar Fajardo free throws with 51 seconds left.

The Bolts snagged a 91-89 advantage after Newsome drilled a wide-open corner three-pointer at the 34-second mark.

The Beermen still had an opportunity to send the game into overtime, but Jaymar Perez fumbled his layup.

Newsome sealed the victory for Meralco as he knocked down two free throws with 11 seconds left.

Newsome tallied a total of 26 points to go with four rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal as the Bolts took a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven championship series.

Raymond Almazan stepped up with a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds, Kier John Quinto contributed 16 points, while Chris Banchero and Clifford Hodge ended with 10 markers apiece for the Bolts.

Both squads had a tight exchange almost the entire game, with Meralco just holding to a 71-70 lead after three quarters before they opened the fourth with back-to-back baskets by Almazan for a 75-70 lead.

The Beermen answered with their own rally to take a slim 80-79 advantage on a corner three-pointer by Marcio Lassiter, but the Bolts got the lead back at 81-80 on two free throws by Newsome.

The two teams continued to trade leads with the Beermen down 84-85 after a split free throw by Perez before the Bolts surged to an 88-84 edge on a three-pointer from Quinto.

The Beermen rallied to within 87-88 courtesy of Fajardo and Perez, but they could not take the lead due to their missed free throws before Fajardo gave them the lead for the last time at 89-88 via two free throws.

Moala Tautuaa led the way for the Beermen with 19 points, Perez added 18 markers, Fajardo and Lassiter tallied 12 apiece, while Celedonio Trollano and Jeron Teng ended with 11 and 10 points, respectively./ASC, WDJ

MERALCO 93 — Newsome 25, Almazan 17, Quinto 16, Banchero 10, Hodge 10, Maliksi 8, Pascual 2, Bates 2, Torres 2, Rios 0, Caram 0.

SAN MIGUEL 89 — Tautuaa 19, Perez 18, Lassiter 12, Fajardo 12, Trollano 11, Teng 10, Cruz 7, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Enciso 0.

Quarterscores: 28-24, 48-46, 71-70, 93-89.