Newsome's late heroics lift Meralco past Blackwater

Chris Newsome knocked down the go-ahead basket with 3.9 seconds remaining as Meralco held off a charging Blackwater side, 116-114, in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors' Cup on Tuesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

Off a perfectly timed pass from Chris Banchero, Newsome buried the decisive jumper to break a 114-all tie and hand the Bolts their second consecutive victory.

Blackwater had one last chance to answer, but RK Ilagan lost control of the ball after it deflected off his foot and rolled into the backcourt as the final buzzer sounded.

Newsome finished with 16 points, delivering the biggest basket of the night after Meralco nearly squandered an 18-point fourth-quarter lead.

"They had no quit," Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo said of Blackwater's comeback. "That's a testament to what Coach Pat {Aquino} has been doing. They're playing really well. You have to give credit to Blackwater."

"Good thing that we were able to shoot that last shot on that pass to New. But again, you credit Blackwater," he added.

Antonio Hester led the Bolts with 25 points and 12 rebounds as Meralco improved to 2-1 since bringing him in to replace import Jordon Varnado.

Banchero added 16 points, four assists, and three rebounds, while CJ Cansino contributed 15 points. Cliff Hodge chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds.

"Being up by 18 points and crumbling is not what we want to do as a team. We'll work on that next practice," Banchero said. "But you gotta give them credit. They're a tough team, they're aggressive. It's not easy. They're playing well."

Blackwater rallied from 18 points down behind Sedrick Barefield, Kentrell Barkley, and Ilagan.

Barefield poured in a game-high 29 points, Barkley posted 28 points and 10 rebounds, while Ilagan scored 20 points, including back-to-back baskets that tied the game at 114 with 1:31 left.

The Bossing, however, were unable to score again as they dropped to 2-1.

Meralco faces Magnolia on Friday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, while Blackwater takes on Barangay Ginebra.

With the win, Phoenix remained the lone unbeaten team in Group B at 3-0, while Meralco and Blackwater share second place with identical 2-1 records.