At the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday, Meralco defeated Barangay Ginebra 103-91 to tie their PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinal series. Thanks to heroics from ALLEIN Maliksi and Chris Newsome, the team was able to avoid a collapse.

After leading by as many as 17 points, Maliksi finished with 25 points, while Newsome scored 20 points as the Bolts made clutch baskets to take back control of the game.

Christian Standhardinger’s historic night was marred by Meralco, as the Bolts knotted the series at one point. Standhardinger finished with 41 points.

In the best-of-seven series, both teams are vying for the lead as Game 3 moves to the Dasmarinas Arena in Cavite.

In response to Game One defeat, Meralco

After losing Game One 92-88, which put a stop to their five-game winning streak, the Bolts rallied.

Early in the third quarter, Meralco had a 60-43 advantage, but Ginebra had a huge comeback, outsourcing its opponent 32-18 to take a 74-73 edge.

With a 16–7 run that began with consecutive baskets from Maliksi and Newsome and culminated in a putback by Newsome following three offensive rebounds, the Bolts took the lead once more, 95–87.

For Meralco, Cliff Hodge also contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Chris Banchero scored 11 points and 8 rebounds.

In the second half, Standhardinger scored 28 points, but his teammates did not provide any assistance. The Gin Kings shot just 35 percent in the first half, which put them in a serious disadvantage.

Stanley Pringle, the hero of the first game, was limited to 13 points, while Maverick Ahanmisi scored 14 points but only made four of his 18 attempts.

The Scores

Meralco 103 – Maliksi 25, Newsome 20, Hodge 13, Banchero 11, Quinto 7, Almazan 7, Mendoza 6, Bates 6, Pascual 5, Caram 3, Rios 0, Torres 0.

Barangay Ginebra 91 – Standhardinger 41, Ahanmisi 14, Pringle 13, J. Aguilar 7, Thompson 6, Cu 6, Onwubere 3, Tenorio 1, Murrell 0, Pinto 0, David 0.

Quarter scores: 32-27; 55-42; 73-74; 103-91.