RANGED against a red-hot opponent, the Meralco Bolts struck hard in the final half to tally a second straight win, downing the NLEX Road Warriors, 108-92, in the 49th PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday night, May 25, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

The Bolts followed up their 103-85 dumping of the Blackwater Bossing the last time out, pocketing a fifth win in 10 games while also snapping the Road Warriors’ six-game winning streak.

The loss denied the Road Warriors from securing an outright quarterfinal berth as they dropped to 6-2 (win-loss). A victory could have allowed NLEX to tie the Magnolia Hotshots atop the standings. Magnolia holds a 7-1 slate.

Chris Newsome and CJ Cansino powered Merlaco’s much-needed win by firing 21 and 20 points, respectively. Merlaco’s final game in the eliminations will be against the tough Barangay Ginebra Kings on May 30.

Bong Quinto, Chris Banchero, and Cliff Hodge also wound up in double figures, allowing the Bolts to stay in the Top 8 in the team standings. Quinto pitched in 18 points, Banchero dropped 16, and Hodge had 12.

Meralco trailed at the half, 45-47, but staged a 32-23 run in the third period to take the upperhand at the start of the fourth canto, 77-70. It was all Meralco in the final quarter as the Road Warriors faltered at the finish.

Robert Bolick led NLEX with 22 points while Kevin Alas and JB Bahio pitched in 12 points each.

THE SCORES:

MERALCO (108) - Newsome 21, Cansino 20, Quinto 18, Banchero 16, Hodge 12, Black 8, Pasaol 7, Almazan 4, Jose 2, Caram 0, Bates 0.

NLEX (92) - Bolick 22, Alas 14, Bahio 14, Mocon 12, Fajardo 11, Ramirez 6, Nieto 5, Torres 3, Amer 3, Semerad 2, Valdez 0, Herndon 0.QUARTERSCORES: 21-18, 45-47, 77-70, 108-92.(CCM)

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• #49th PBA Philippine Cup
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