Meralco overcame Kiefer Ravena’s scoring outburst as the Bolts downed the NLEX Road Warriors, 101-92, in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Friday, October 23.
Chris Newsome shone anew, collecting 18 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists as the Bolts climbed to 3-2.
The Bolts built a seven-point lead, 73-65, heading into the final frame and took control the whole period.
Allein Maliksi later hit a huge three-pointer with a minute remaining, which extended Meralco’s lead by 9 points, 99-90, crushing any hopes of an NLEX comeback despite Ravena's 30-point explosion.
Five players scored in double figures for the Bolts as Maliksi chipped in 17 markers, Raymond Almazan and Baser Amer contributed 11 points apiece, while Cliff Hodge added 10 points.
“That’s what we really want. We really want to play as a team, we want to share the basketball,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black.
“We also wanna be one of those teams that really play with a lot of teamwork, and we did that again tonight,” added Black.
Anthony Semerad had 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Kevin Alas added 10 points and 5 assists for the Road Warriors, who continued to struggle in the PBA bubble and fell to 1-4.