Tony Bishop tallied 27 points and had 10 rebounds as the Meralco Bolts repulsed the Magnolia Hotshots, 101-95, Sunday night to gain a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five semifinal series in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Bolts’ coach Norman Black said they have now reached a pivotal period in their encounters with the Hotshots, as they go into Game 4 of their semis showdown needing only a win to advance to the finals.
“At this point. It could go one way or another. We really need to get a win or we’ll get eliminated,” said Black. “I’m happy we won tonight but I don’t think we played great.”
Chris Newsome shot 16 points, including a triple in the last 4:33 that hoisted the Bolts into a 10-point edge, 95-85.
The 6’2” Newsome unloaded seven points in the last period, with his layup in the last 38 seconds stopping a late rally by the Hotshots as the Bolts grabbed a 97-92 lead, with 38 ticks left.
Magnolia’s Mike Harris knocked in 24 points, including a three-point play as the Hotshots again came close by four, 95-99, but time was not on their side with only seven seconds left, with Kier Quinto icing the win with two charities in the final four seconds.
The Bolts will try to grab a finals’ berth in Game 4 on Wednesday.
Bishop was ably backed up by Chris Banchero, who fired 23 points.
