Chris Newsome refuses to fold, even with the Meralco Bolts suddenly backed into a corner.
Down 0-2 against the TNT Tropang 5G in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown, the Meralco guard insists the series is far from over in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Wednesday night’s 109-92 loss at the Smart Araneta Coliseum put the Bolts in a tough spot, but Newsome made it clear that panic has no place inside the Meralco locker room.
“We can’t let these two losses affect our morale and team spirit. That’s the main thing,” said Chris Newsome after Game 2. “We’ll take the experience from our veterans who have been in multiple series before because in a series, anything can happen. You can be down two or three games and still win.”
That mindset showed on the floor. Even after dislocating his pinky early in the game, Newsome kept attacking, playing through the pain and leading by example for the Meralco Bolts. He finished with 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists, refusing to coast even as TNT steadily pulled away.
The numbers, however, weren’t enough to slow down the Tropang 5G, who seized control of the series with back-to-back wins.
Still, for Newsome, the fight is just beginning. With Game 3 set for Friday at the same venue, the Bolts know the margin for error is gone—but so is the luxury of doubt.
For Meralco, it’s no longer about the scoreboard behind them. It’s about proving that this semifinal is still a battle, not a countdown.
