By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
It seemed like the Meralco Bolts have already gotten the answer on how to break the Magnolia Hotshots’ puzzle after clinching the Game 3 win, 101-95, and the 2-1 series lead in the PBA Governor’s Cup semifinals.
Since giving away Game 1 to the no. 1 seeded Hotshots, coach Norman Black and Meralco suddenly shifted gears regarding their game plan that helped them win two games in a row.
Meralco’s super import Tony Bishop delivered the goods for his team and dropped a game-high 27 points, 10 rebounds, and four steals who had to adjust against the pesky perimeter defense deployed by Magnolia’s head coach Chito Victolero.
It was the Bolts who pretty much dictated the pace from the get-go down to the final canto as their huge perimeter lineup of Allein Maliksi, Chris Newsome, and Chris Banchero caused matchup problems against Magnolia’s three-guard composition of Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon, and Adrian Wong.
Every time coach Victolero deployed his small-ball attack in hopes of quicker offensive possessions, Meralco would have a quick counter with their versatile wingmen who attacked the basket at will.
Magnolia had the chance to turn things around after Wong tied the game at 82, drilling two straight three-pointers but a 13-3 Meralco run vanished their hopes of taking the lead in the most crucial stretch with five minutes remaining in the game.
Offensive efforts from Mike Harris and Jalalon pulled Magnolia within three, 92-95, but a Newsome layup dagger extended their lead to five, 97-92. With 35 seconds left in the ball game and propelled them to the Game 3 win.
“This is like a turning point for both teams, at this point. We just thought this was a very pivotal game for us in this series, and if we could win the game, it gives us a much better chance of making it to the championship,” said coach Black.
The Hotshots will be looking to equalize the series at 2-2 when they square off against Meralco tomorrow, Wednesday, at 6:00 PM.
