By Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — Meralco came alive in the final three quarters to turn back TNT, 88-77, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay on Wednesday night.
Despite only making nine points in the first quarter, the Bolts recovered from there, outscoring the KaTropa, 21-17, in the second period before erupting for 33 points in the third to complete the turnaround and eventually stretching the lead to 19 in the fourth.
Chris Newsome put up 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and one block for Meralco, which completed a comeback from 21 points down and moved up to 2-2, tying Columbian and San Miguel for fourth place.
Baser Amer added 17 points, three rebounds, and one assist off the bench.
Jayson Castro made 20 points, two rebounds, and one dime for TNT, which slipped to 2-3.
Meanwhile, Blackwater notched its first win after blasting erstwhile unbeaten Rain Or Shine, 111-99 in the second game.
The Elite recovered from a slow second quarter with a 37-point third-quarter bomb before breaking away for good in the final frame.
Mike DiGregorio erupted for 27 points, five rebounds, one assist, and four steals for Blackwater, which zoomed to a tie with Ginebra for eighth place at 1-2.
Allein Maliksi added 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one block, while Chris Javier chipped in 16 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and one block.
James Yap made 20 markers, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals for ROS, which suffered its first loss after a 2-0 start.
