MERALCO gave its bid for a quarterfinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup a shot in the arm after pulling off a crucial 89-85 win over hard-luck Blackwater on Wednesday at the Angeles University Foundation gym.
Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto came up with huge baskets down the stretch to help the Bolts stave off a last-ditch rally by the Elite.
Newsome scored five straight points, while Quinto hit a corner three for an 83-75 Meralco cushion entering the final two minutes of play.
Newsome finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Quinto added 14 along with veteran Reynel Hugnatan, who turned 42-years old on Tuesday.
The Bolts improved to a 4-3 record for solo sixth place and in the thick of the fight for a berth in the quarterfinals.
Cliff Hodge added 11 points and eight rebounds, while big man Raymond Almazan contributed seven points and 10 rebounds for the Bolts, who led by as many as 36-23 early in the second period.
But Blackwater clawed its way back in the third quarter behind Don Trollano to make it a close game down the stretch.
The Elite were actually just trailing 73-75 when Newsome and Quinto connived to bring the Bolts out of danger.