Photo credit: PBA Images

In a high-stakes showdown at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Meralco Bolts showcased resilience and determination, securing an 86-81 victory over the Barangay Ginebra Kings to extend the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series to a thrilling Game Seven. The Bolts, led by Bong Quinto's stellar performance, refused to yield, setting up a dramatic finale in San Jose, Batangas on Friday.

Quinto, stepping into the starting lineup for the first time in a while, led the charge with a game-high 23 points, providing a crucial spark for Meralco. Chris Newsome and Allein Maliksi delivered clutch performances, combining for 35 points, including all of the Bolts' last 15 markers, to keep their championship hopes alive.

Despite facing a must-win situation, Meralco displayed tenacity on both ends of the court, outplaying Ginebra in fastbreak points (18-1) and points off turnovers (24-9). Coach Luigi Trillo's squad showcased resilience in a grind-out battle, overcoming the Kings' relentless pressure to even the series at 3-3.

Maliksi's pivotal nine-point surge in crunch time, followed by Newsome's decisive free throws, sealed the hard-fought victory for the Bolts. Newsome finished with 21 points, supported by four rebounds and three assists, while Maliksi contributed 14 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a crucial block on Scottie Thompson in the closing minutes.

Contributions from Cliff Hodge, Chris Banchero, and Raymond Almazan further bolstered Meralco's efforts, highlighting the team's depth and resilience in a critical juncture of the series. Despite strong performances from Christian Standhardinger, Japeth Aguilar, and Stanley Pringle, Barangay Ginebra fell short in their first attempt to clinch a finals berth, setting the stage for an electrifying Game Seven showdown.