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Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge placed on a vengeful displaying to energy Meralco previous NLEX, 97-86, within the rubber match of their quarterfinal sequence on Friday night time which accomplished the Philippine Cup’s semifinal solid.
Shackled to not more than seven factors every in Recreation 1, the Bolts’ prime weapons hit essential baskets within the second body because the No. 2 seeds coasted to victory at Don Honorio Ventura State College in Bacolor, Pampanga and sealed a Ultimate 4 conflict with third-ranked Magnolia.
Meralco, which was additionally within the semifinals final season within the bubble earlier than being bundled out by eventual champion Barangay Ginebra, was the one staff that performed the complete route on this spherical, taken to a KO match by the shorthanded Street Warriors, who carved out an 81-80 win on Wednesday courtesy of a game-winning layup by rookie Calvin Oftana.
Subsequent process
TNT, the No. 1 seed, wanted only one sport to get rid of the Gin Kings and lower their reign, whereas San Miguel Beer and Magnolia swept their respective best-of-three foes to advance.
“Making the semis is now not the purpose. Now, the purpose is to get to the Finals of the All-Filipino,” mentioned coach Norman Black.
Newsome went on to complete with 23 factors, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, whereas Hodge had 16 factors and 9 boards as Meralco now set its sights on a brand new hurdle: dealing with a Hotshots crew that’s clicking on all cylinders led by Greatest Participant of the Convention front-runner Calvin Abueva.
Don Trollano began out at one of many guard spots and led the Street Warriors with 19 factors, with Oftana taking pictures 14 that went with 11 rebounds.
“Actually, if we might’ve completed it a few days in the past, we’d have liked to have performed that—save ourselves one sport and get just a little bit extra apply time,” Black mentioned.
“However so far as going ahead, I’m simply completely happy that our guys are again out of protocol once more, as a result of that may actually harm your staff dropping guys for weeks,” he added.
Anjo Caram and the veteran Reynel Hugnatan have been the others in twin digits for Black, with Caram accounting for 16 factors and Hugnatan coming off the bench to attain 11.
It’s been some time
Abueva is main the tightly-contested race for the Greatest Participant award alright, however snagging the accolade is the farthest factor from the do-it-all ahead’s thoughts—even when it validates his standing as one of many league’s most interesting all-around gamers.
And understandably so, as Magnolia stays within the hunt for this yr’s all-Filipino title.
“As I’ve instructed coach (Chito Victolero), that will simply be a bonus if I ever get to win that,” Abueva mentioned in Filipino Thursday night time, shortly after powering the Hotshots previous Rain or Shine with an eye-popping 20 factors and 19 rebounds in a 96-86 Recreation 2 win.
“My mindset has been on attending to the Finals,” he went on. “And win [the title] as that’s what the entire staff needs. For the teaching employees, the gamers, the utility personnel, it’s actually the championship. That’s the place the largest bonus is, and that’s our largest purpose for this coming Christmas and New 12 months.”
Acquired by Magnolia simply earlier than the season, Abueva, as soon as the league’s downside baby, is popping out to be fairly the choose up. His averages of 16.1 factors, 9.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.3 blocks discuss his match to a staff loaded with stars and function gamers.
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