Aaron Black didn’t disappoint his father, coach Norman Black, when he took over in the final stretch and carried the Meralco Bolts to a 96-92 triumph over the San Miguel Beermen in Game 6 of their best—of-seven semifinal series in the 2022 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 25-year-old point guard shot 17 points with Cliff Hodge and led the Bolts’ charge in the fourth period with straight 11 points.
The young Black’s three free throws in the dying seconds sealed the win for Bolts as they equalized their series with the Beermen for a third time, 3-all. This set up a do-or-die Game 7 on Wednesday.
Black, who got timely screens from Raymund Almazan and Hodge, hit seven points during a 13-0 run that he, Chris Newsome and Hodge initiated.
The rally allowed the Bolts to overcome a 10-point, 80-90 deficit in the last 4:23 of the fourth period.
The Bolts then took a 93-90 spread in the remaining 31.5 seconds, following Black’s triple, two charities and three-point play.
“It was not only me, it was the guys who were screening for me, Raymund and Cliff. That’s why I was open,” said Black.
CJ Perez, who had 13 points, had a chance to get the Beermen into a deadlock.
But he knocked in only two of three charities in the last 8.3 ticks off Black’s foul, 92-93.
Black then delivered three of four freebies off fouls from Chris Ross (final 5.7 seconds) and Perez (final two seconds) as the Bolts boosted their chance to remain in contention for a best-of-seven finals slot.
“Proud of Aaron where he’s come from in the last couple of years as a player. I’m happy that he took over in this game,” said the elder Black.
Newsome banged in a game-high 19 points for the Bolts, while JuneMar Fajardo showed the way for the Beermen with 23 points.
The Scores:
MERALCO 96 – Newsome 19, Black 17, Hodge 17, Banchero 13, Almazan 11, Maliksi 7, Pascual 6, Quinto 6, Hugnatan 0, Pasaol 0, Jose 0
SAN MIGUEL 92 – Fajardo 23, Manuel 16, Lassiter 14, Perez 13, Tautuaa 8, Cruz 8, Enciso 8, Brondial 2, Ross 0, Herndon 0
QUARTERS: 33-22, 56-45, 74-71, 96-92