ANTIPOLO -- The comeback team has sustained its run.
Meralco stoked the fire of its fightback from the brink of disaster and clipped Alaska Milk, 97-92, in the opener of their PBA Governors Cup best-of-five semifinal playoff at the Ynares Sports Center here Sunday night.
The Bolts came out well prepared against the Aces' touted pressing defense and ran an impeccable game almost throughout to stretch their streak to seven games after a woeful 1-6 start in the season-ending tourney.
Allen Durham, Chris Newsome and Baser Amer led a steady ride
enabling the Bolts to draw first blood in the series.
"We're trying to fight everyday," said Norman Black as they sustained their hot run to put themselves in a good position to go all the way to a third straight Governors Cup finals.
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Black and his troops go for a commanding 2-0 series lead in Game Two over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday.
The Meralco bench chieftain once again lauded Durham for leading the way and setting the example for his teammates.
"He takes the lead as a good import, and his teammates will follow," said Black.
Durham had another heckuva job with 32 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, and drew solid support from Newsome and Amer who combined for 30 markers, 11 boards and seven dish-offs.
Newsome sizzled with 16 points, including two lethal three-pointers in the homestretch.
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"It's playoff time. It's the time to give your best be it in scoring, playing defense and whatever it is to be able to help your team win the game," said Newsome.
The rest of the Meralco Bolts put in tremendous effort as they upended the Aces that struggled to get into a good rhythm.
Mike Harris piled up 37 points and 18 rebounds while Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel contributed 16 and 14 points, respectively, off the bench.
The Bolts, nonetheless, took control almost throughout, leading by as many as 16 in a dominant ride.
"We just want to send a message that no matter how deep a hole you fall into, you can come out of it. It's never done until it's done," said Newsome, superb with 16 points including dagger treys at crunch time in their conquest of the Aces in their semis opener.
The scores:
Meralco 97 - Durham 32, Newsome 16, Amer 14, Hugnatan 9, Caram 7, Faundo 6, Canaleta 6, Tolomia 5, Salva 2, Dillinger 0.
Alaska 92 - Harris 37, Banchero 16, Manuel 14, Casio 5, Enciso 5, Exciminiano 5, Teng 4, Pascual 4, Galliguez 2, Baclao 0, Racal 0, Thoss 0.
Quarters: 25-17, 47-34, 72-56, 97-92.
