NEWSOME on new goals and mindset: “I mean, it’s tough right now. No one likes losing especially in Game Sevens,” said the 32-year-old, do-it-all guard, who averaged 14.85 points, 5.85 rebounds, and 4.28 assists during the grueling seven-game series.”

“I mean, we are a tough organization and I hope everybody understands that, respects that we’ve done a lot to get where we are at. It’s not easy to get where we are at. There are a lot of teams that can be in the semifinals and here we are. I believe we made it five times straight and that says a lot. Of course, we have to win the championship but we are still one of the top four teams in the league.”

After Meralco’s difficult 100-89 Game Seven loss to San Miguel, which eliminated their chances of winning the PBA Philippine Cup, Chris Newsome maintained his composure.  After all, the Bolts demonstrated that they pose a danger in every conference on a continuous basis.

Both analysts and supporters predicted that the Beermen would easily defeat the Bolts in the semifinals, especially since the former boasted a highly strong lineup that few teams in the league could equal. 

Meralco, however, had other ideas. When it mattered most for the Bolts to win Game Six, down 10 points, Meralco came back and stunned the Bolts 96-92 to force a championship game. 

But on Wednesday night, the Beermen simply had a superior team.  Now, Newsome will need to complete a new task. Yes, there won’t be any time for the tired to relax. 

The 24-man Gilas roster for the 2023 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers includes the Ateneo product. And sure, Newsome will be considered a local under FIBA’s residency criterion because he has spent the last ten years studying and working here. 

Now, Newsome promises to give the national team even more of his effort than he has given Meralco.

“Not too sure when I’m going to start. I’m assuming it’s going to be the next few days. Now, I can look forward to that and kind of take that moment that I haven’t done here. I’m excited to finally wear that jersey for five-on-five,”

– this being said by Newsome, who was part of Gilas 3×3 during the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

“Hopefully, I can make that final roster. I think it will be a great experience for me, a great experience for a lot of the guys that have never donned the uniform. It’s for the country and I take the utmost honor and respect to serve my country. I think about my lola, my lolo, and the ones that came before me. They came from humble beginnings and now we are finally able to have a basketball player represent the country. I think it’s a great honor to them, my family, and to the country as well,” Newsome continues optimistically.

“Just know that everything that I did for Meralco, I will give you ten-fold in representing the country. I’ll leave it all out there and give it my best. We don’t know if this will be my last or this will be my beginning. We can’t take any moment for granted.”