PBA: Meralco sends Ginebra to the brink of elimination

Meralco Bolts. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco could have simply shut the door on Barangay Ginebra after taking the 79-66 win in its ultimate sport of the elimination spherical within the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Thursday at DHVSU Gymnasium in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The Bolts, already assured of the twice-to-beat at No. 2, are heading into the playoffs with a 9-2 document whereas the defending champion Gin Kings dropped to 4-7.

Ginebra, which is tied with Phoenix and Terrafirma, now hopes that NorthPort wins its sport towards Alaska later within the day to get an eighth-place playoff with the Gasoline Masters.

Within the occasion that the Aces beat the Batang Pier, the Gin Kings will likely be eradicated from playoff rivalry making them the primary defending champion for the reason that 2000 Shell Turbo Chargers to not make the next 12 months’s playoffs.

Meralco head coach Norman Black mentioned the Bolts had been solely centered on the necessity to carry as a lot momentum into the quarterfinals.

“We actually simply wished to have the momentum going into the playoffs,” mentioned Black. “Our offense has been fairly good the final three video games and it was good to see our protection step up.”

“To date, you already know, it’s been a steadiness of men stepping up. Allein [Maliksi] was right here, Mac [Belo] is right here tonight.”

Carrying a slim 55-51 lead into the fourth, the Bolts upped the notch and mounted a 16-7 run that Chris Newsome capped off with a three-pointer for his or her 71-58 lead.

Maliksi and Belo led Meralco with an identical 15-point and seven-rebound strains whereas Newsome added 10 factors, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Stanley Pringle led the Gin Kings with 19 factors, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals.

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