by Ivan Stewart Saldajeno/PNA
MANILA — Meralco needed two overtime periods before upending NorthPort, 126-123, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Friday night.
The Bolts, needing a late fightback in the fourth quarter to force the first overtime and another in the same period to force another five minutes, started the second extension with an 8-0 run before holding off one last push by the Batang Pier led by Stanley Pringle.
Chris Newsome came up with 28 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and one block for Meralco, which moved up to 3-5. Baser Amer and Cliff Hodge each chipped in 23 points.
Pringle put up 33 markers, five boards, three dimes, and three swipes, while Sean Anthony had 31 markers, 16 caroms, four dimes, and three interceptions for NorthPort, which fell to 2-4.
In the nightcap, San Miguel waxed hot early on and mauled NLEX, 121-111.
The Beermen started the game with nine straight points off triples from Arwind Santos and never looked back even though the Road Warriors began converting their baskets in the second half.
Junemar Fajardo led seven SMB players in double figures with 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including a rare triple with 13 rebounds and two assists as his team moved up to third place at 5-3, just one game behind Rain Or Shine for second.
JR Quiñahan made 17 points, 10 rebounds, and one assist, while Juami Tiongson added 16 markers, 13 assists, three rebounds, and three steals for NLEX, which dropped to 2-5.
