Meralco rode on a gutsy second quarter offensive to score a 98-89 win and oust higher seed Rain or Shine in their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup knockout quarterfinal game on Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Bolts advanced to the Final Four for the first time since capturing the franchise’s first league title in the Season 48 Philippine Cup.
It was a huge victory for Meralco, which beat the third seed Rain or Shine, a team that blew its twice-to-beat advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Bolts took control of the game behind a 23-11 exchange in the second quarter.
Meralco led by as many as 11 points, and similar to its 96-79 win last Saturday, the team of coach Luigi Trillo relied on its defensive effort, limiting Rain or Shine to just 35.9 percent field goal shooting.
The Elasto Painters struggled once again from the three-point zone, after making just 4 of 25 attempts.
Chris Newsome led Meralco with 31 points, while Chris Banchero added 22, including nine in the Bolts’ critical second quarter run.
CJ Cansino added 14 points and eight rebounds while Bong Quinto scored 11.
Adrian Nocum finished with 29 points while Gian Mamuyac added 20 for the Elasto Painters.
