MERALCO survived a scare before beating Magnolia Pambansang Manok, 91-86, in Game 3 of their semifinal showdown in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Chris Newsome nailed a pressure- packed jump shot with 6.5 seconds left to save the day for the Bolts, who blew a huge 73-54 lead at the start of the fourth quarter.

Newsome’s basket just outside the free throw circle came after Paul Lee completed a three-point play and Rafi Reavis scored on a lay-up to put the Hotshots to within 86-89 with still 26 seconds remaining.

The win enabled the Norman Black-mentored Bolts to cut the Hotshots’ lead in the best-of-seven series to 1-2.

Newsome finished with a team-high 17 points for the Bolts, who dominated the game right from the opening minutes despite playing minus starting center Raymond Almazan.

Almazan did not play due to an ankle sprain.

The 6-8 center from Bataan landed awkwardly on his left foot as he battled Magnolia’s Ian Sangalang for the rebound in the third quarter of the Bolts’ 92-78 loss in Game 2.

Trevis Jackson and Jammer Jamito also did not see action.

John Pinto added 16 points and five rebounds and Mac Bello had 14 points and five rebounds for Meralco.

Lee again topscored for Magnolia with 18 points, followed by Ian Sangalang with 15 points and seven rebounds.

Calvin Abueva had 12 points and seven rebounds and Rome de la Rosa had 10 points in a losing effort for the Hotshots.

Game 4 of the semifinal series is scheduled on Sunday with the Hotshots gunning for a 3-1 lead and the Bolts hoping for a 2-2 standoff.

Later, Talk N Text humbled San Miguel Beer, 115-98, to take a 2-1 lead in their own semifinal series.

RR Pogoy sizzled with 26 points, JP Erram added a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds and Mikey Williams had 20 points for the Tropang Giga, who led from start to finish.

The scores:

First game
Meralco 91 – Newsome 17, Pinto 16, Belo 14, Baclao 10, Maliksi 9, Caram 8, Quinto 8, Hodge 7, Hugnatan 2, Black 0, Jackson 0, Jose 0, Almazan 0, Pasaol 0.
Magnolia 86 – Lee 18, Sangalang 15, Abueva 12, Dela Rosa 10, Jalalaon 9, Ahanmisi 8, Dionisio 8, Corpuz 2, Barroca 2, Reavis 2, Brill 0, Melton 0, De Leon 0, Capobres 0, Pascual 0.
Quarterscores: 24-14, 47-37, 73-54, 91-86

Second game
Talk N Text (115)– Pogoy 26, Erram 21, M. Williams 20, Rosario 14, Montalbo 11, Castro 9, Khobuntin 4, Heruela 4, Reyes 2, Marcelo 2, Mendoza 2, Exciminiano 0, Alejandro 0, Williams 0, Javier 0.
San Miguel (98) — Romeo 22, Fajardo 14, Perez 14, Cabagnot 12, Tautuaa 11, Santos 9, Pessumal 5, Ross 3, Lassiter 3, Gamalinda 3, Zamar 2, Gotladera 0, Comboy 0, Sena 0.
Quarterscores: 29-20, 54-42, 85-68, 115-98.

Games Sunday:

(DHVSU gym, Bacolor)
2 p.m. — Talk N Text vs. San Miguel
4:35 p.m. — Magnolia vs. Meralco