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![Meralco Bolts' Bong Quinto PBA playoffs quarterfinals](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2024/01/IMG_1317_PBA-Commissioners-Cup-Quarterfinals-Phoenix-Meralco_Bong-Quinto-620x413.jpg)
Meralco Bolts’ Bong Quinto within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
Coach Luigi Trillo couldn’t wait to see Meralco head again on the frontlines and face Phoenix as soon as extra with a ticket to the semifinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on the road.
“Let’s carry it. Kung kaya bukas, ilaro na namin (If we will play the sport tomorrow, let’s do it),” Trillo stated, his adrenalin nonetheless pumping after the Bolts eked out a 116-107 triple extra time win over the Phoenix Gasoline Masters in an exciting begin to the match’s quarterfinal part on Wednesday at PhilSports Enviornment in Pasig Metropolis.
Trillo’s feedback prompted Bong Quinto to nod his head and disagree in jest, saying, in Filipino: “For those who say so, coach. However you play.”
That triggered some laughter contained in the press room as Trillo and Quinto discovered a while to have fun being on the profitable finish of the 14th triple extra time recreation in league historical past.
However the Bolts had no cause to overextend their pleasure, figuring out that they have been in a position to pull off an escape act in opposition to a Gasoline Masters’ aspect that got here into the playoffs because the sudden crew to realize one of many 4 twice-to-beat slots.
“We have now lots of respect for Phoenix,” stated Trillo. “For those who see the way in which they play, they defeated lots of groups and pulling off upset wins. “For those who take a look at them, they reached second place [in the standings] for a cause. Coach Jamike [Jarin] has been doing job, [Jason] Perkins is wholesome and so they have lots of supplies,” added Trillo.
The sudden loss of life contest is about on Sunday at Mall of Asia Enviornment, with Meralco, which was denied of a twice-to-beat bonus with its loss to Phoenix late within the eliminations, going for a semis berth for the seventh time within the final eight conferences.
Figuring out the way it’s finished
![Chris Newsome Meralco BOlts PBA](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2024/01/IMG_1015_PBA-Commissioners-Cup-Quarterfinals-Phoenix-Meralco_Chris-Newsome-620x413.jpg)
Chris Newsome leads Meralco Bolts previous Phoenix Gasoline Masters within the PBA quarterfinals match. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.web
The Bolts are not any strangers to overturning their opponent’s twice-to-beat benefit, having finished so within the 2020 Philippine Cup bubble by defeating the June Mar Fajardo-less San Miguel Beermen in Angeles Metropolis, Pampanga.
Meralco hopes to drag it off with out attempting to play catch up as soon as extra, as seen of their current matchup when Phoenix led, 36-21, within the second quarter and was seemingly in management within the second half regardless of makes an attempt to chop nearer.
“With us, I don’t know. However once we face them, they might blow us out by 15, proper? So now we have loads to enhance on when it comes to that,” stated Trillo.
In contrast to within the eliminations, Meralco was in a position to full the comeback, with Chris Newsome flattening a buzzer-beating three on the finish of regulation and arrange a marathon affair that took perpetually to complete.
Newsome’s three evoked recollections of his current clutch basket within the East Asia Tremendous League, when his four-point play allowed Meralco’s to pressure extra time and defeat B.League champion Ryukyu Golden Kings in Macau.
That triple got here after Aaron Black handed it off to Newsome with the clock winding down, and the undisputed face of the Meralco franchise responded by flattening the shot from the suitable wing to make it 84-all on the finish of the fourth.
“That shot wouldn’t have entered if Aaron didn’t give [Newsome that chance],” Trillo stated.
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