Chris Newsome is back in the fray for the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Governors’ Cup. -Marlo Cueto/Inquirer.net
MANILA, Philippines — Chris Newsome returned to his Meralco team with a win as the Bolts defeated NorthPort, 109-99, in Group A of the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday.
After missing several weeks with a sprained left ankle and knee, Newsome found himself in action once again with the Bolts, including their crucial comeback win over the Batang Pier.
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,[My] “The knee is fine and stable, there’s nothing structurally wrong, but there’s something in the ankle that’s been bothering me a little bit. I sprained it again and tried to play with it, but it’s 90 to 95 percent now,” Newsome said.
READ: PBA: Allen Durham leads Meralco to win over NorthPort
“I came out today without any injuries and now I just have to go to therapy.”
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Newsome played cautiously in his return to coach Luigi Trillo, and didn’t make as many shots as he did when healthy.
The Season 48 Philippine Cup Finals MVP scored just eight points but had six assists and five rebounds in the win that led Meralco 3–1.
Newsome suffered ankle and knee injuries during Meralco’s loss to TNT a few days ago.
READ: PBA: Allen Durham says there’s more work to be done for him and Meralco
Nevertheless, the Gilas playmaker is happy to see that the Bolts have improved their game even without their primary floor general.
“I am more impressed with our performance last time, when they were able to win without me and without Cliff first [Hodge] “We got shut out after only playing seven minutes, there was no Raymond (Almazan), there was no Alen (Maliksi) and that said a lot about the character of this team,” Newsome said.
Newsome’s return was impacted by the fact that a large portion of the Bolts’ lineup sat out Sunday’s game due to injury. That included Almazan, Maliksi, Aaron Black and Norbert Torres.
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However, Meralco would like to take full advantage of Newsome’s return when they take on the Bolts and Converge on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
