“Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome the PBA Philippine Cup”. –PBA IMAGES
Chris Newsome has allayed fears of a serious injury that could play a big factor in Meralco's chances of advancing to the quarterfinals of the Philippine Basketball Association's Philippine Cup.
“I think I can play,” Newsome told reporters after the Bolts won 82-76 over the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, improving their record to 4-5 for eighth place with two games remaining. of the elimination round. to schedule.
Newsome left the Big Dome walking with a distinct limp and with an electronic contraption placed on his left leg, which became stuck during the final seconds of the competition.
How he will play or how his availability will be determined will be known on Sunday when Meralco begins two tough tests that will determine his playoff fate with a showdown against Magnolia at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Meralco's final knockout match will be on May 4, an out-of-town meeting with current leaders San Miguel Beer in Batangas City.
“The news brings a lot to the table,” said coach Luigi Trillo. “I hope he's all right. But again, if you look at Ginebra, (Scottie Thompson) drops, they get some. When Scottie returns, they are fine. “So hopefully, if New leaves, we’ll have all the other guys to step up to the plate. But I hope it’s nothing serious.”
Breaking a losing streak
Newsome had 15 points, six rebounds and three assists before the injury as Meralco bounced back from two straight losses, including a surprising 104-99 decision to the previously winless Converge last weekend.
Having a string of injuries is the last thing Trillo and the Bolts want as another key player is experiencing pain.
Allein Maliksi scored eight of his 13 points in the fourth for Meralco while dealing with a sore knee, according to Trillo.
“Allein is a warrior,” Trillo said. “He shouldn't play because he got an injection of something in his knee. And I’m proud of him because he was a spark for AB (Aaron Black) and New.”
Black was Player of the Game after his production of 18 points, four rebounds and four assists, numbers that Meralco will need to guarantee their passage to the quarterfinals.
While the Bolts put themselves in the comfort zone, the Fuel Masters are now in desperation mode after a second straight loss relegated them to 3-7 with one game to play.
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A win over Blackwater on May 4 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City could maintain a slim hope of at least a playoff berth in the final quarters. But in most circumstances, four wins are no guarantee of advancing past the qualifying round.
