Quinto hits go-ahead basket as Meralco spoils Munzon career game
At A Glance
- Bong Quinto hit the go-ahead short stab against three defenders as Meralco spoiled the career-game of Joshua Munzon with a pulsating 105-104 victory in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Friday May 9.
Bong Quinto hit the go-ahead short stab against three defenders as Meralco spoiled the career-game of Joshua Munzon with a pulsating 105-104 victory in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Friday May 9.
Refusing to raise the white flag even after several big hits from the Batang Pier, the Bolts finally got the chance and never let go of it as Quinto finished through traffic with 2.7 seconds left to secure the victory that arrested a three-game slide for the defending champions.
NorthPort, which led for the majority of the contest, still had the chance to win it on the other end but Will Navarro missed his fall away jumper and Munzon and Cade Flores came up short on their follow-up attempts.
Quinto finished with 17 points to come out as the hero, though the come-from-behind wouldn't be possible without Chris Newsome who kept the Bolts within striking distance and Chris Banchero who sparked the comeback in the final frame.
Newsome fired 24 points as Banchero added 23 while Cliff Hodge posted a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds before fouling out the game.
It was such a huge heartbreaker for NorthPort as the Batang Pier initially looked to be on their way to snapping their own lose streak but they just couldn't find any answer to Meralco's late run.
Jio Jalalon actually had the chance to ice the game for NorthPort but he botched his two free throws when his team needed some sort of head room when Meralco cut the lead down to just one, 103-104.
Munzon exploded for 36 points while Navarro chalked up 14 points and 11 rebounds – all of which however went down the drain.