Meralco def San Miguel, 111-97 [SF Game 4 | Season 47 PH Cup | August 10, 2022]

Meralco went on a wild roller coaster ride, with big salvos in the first and the third quarters proving to be the big key as the Bolts once again sent their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal face-off versus the San Miguel Beermen to a tie after four games.

The Bolts blew a 19-point spread in the first half but went pulling away again in the third quarter en route to a 111-97 win that reduced the series to a best-of-three affair.

Striking from inside and out, the Bolts built a lead as big as 22 and completed a pivotal win to the delight of their supporters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

A balanced game with five players scoring in double figures did the trick as the Bolts avenged their 96-91 defeat in Game 3 Sunday.

Aaron Black top scored with 21 points with Allein Maliksi (19), Cliff Hodge (18), Raymond Almazan (17) and Bong Quinto (11) putting in significant contributions to make up for Chris Newsome’s meager output of eight.

Coach Norman Black said a big key was their big men making their shots.

“We’re trying to take advantage of what we saw in Game 3. We made the adjustments on how to attack their defense because their defense has been pretty good so far in the series. And it worked out for us,” said Black.