Meralco overcome Ryukyu in epic at Studio City

December 13, 2023 - Studio City Event Center, Macau

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Meralco Bolts secured the first EASL win for a PBA team this season with a dramatic victory in overtime over Japanese champions Ryukyu Golden Kings on Wednesday night.

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Meralco beat Ryukyu 97-88 in overtime, after the teams finished the fourth quarter all square on 80 points.

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The game was played at the Studio City resort in Macau under a special partnership between EASL and resort operator Melco Resorts and Entertainment.

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‍Post-game triple 

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1.   First PBA win of the EASL season

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The Meralco Bolts come away with an overtime thriller over the Ryukyu Golden Kings Wednesday, becoming the first PBA team to win an EASL since TNT Tropang Giga did it in the 2019 Terrific 12.

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Meralco and TNT came into the game with a combined 0-6 record.

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Crowds flocked center court post-game after the final whistle sounded to celebrate this feat.

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2.   Newsome plays hero

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With just over 10 seconds to go in the game, Meralco down four, Chris Banchero finds Chris Newsome in the corner to knock down the corner-three while drawing the foul.

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Newsome would complete the four-point play to send the game into overtime.

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In the extra frame, Newsome scored six of the Bolts' 17 points, securing the victory over the B.LEAGUE champions.

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3.   Vic Law admirable in return

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Golden Kings' forward Vic Law played his first EASL game since October after missing five weeks with a knee injury.

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The former Orlando Magic swingman was admirable in his return, recording a team-high 27 points in a losing effort.

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This was his first 20-point game since October 15 in the team's victory against Sun Rockers Shibuya in the B.LEAGUE.

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Player of the Game - Chris Newsome, Meralco Bolts

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Chris Newsome came in clutch for the Bolts late in the game, hitting a crucial 4-point play to send the contest into overtime.

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Newsome then scored six points of Meralco's 17 points in the extra frame to give his team the first EASL from a PBA side.

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He finished the game with 27 points.

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Postgame Press Conference

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Next Games

• Meralco Bolts: Home against Seoul SK Knights, December 27
• Ryukyu Golden Kings: Home against New Taipei Kings, January 24