MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts defeated the Blackwater Bossing 103-85 in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, putting them back in the winning column. The victory ended the Bolts’ two-game losing streak and improved their record to 4–5, which keeps them in the running for a top-eight finish and a trip to the quarterfinals.

The Bolts displayed poise, depth, and unity on both ends of the court despite playing without their star forward Cliff Hodge, who was suspended for one game after committing a flagrant foul of two in their last game versus Magnolia.

Chris Newsome helped his team get into a groove early on by leading Meralco with 19 points, including nine in the first quarter. Chris Banchero added 12 points and four assists, and CJ Cansino, who is still playing well in his first season, added 14 points and seven rebounds. Meralco’s five players in double figures demonstrated the team’s reputation for balanced scoring in this league.

In spite of Hodge’s absence, the Bolts dominated the rebounding battle, winning 62–42. With nine points, three blocks, and 13 rebounds, Raymond Almazan topped the team in rebounding. In addition, they scored 46 points in the paint as opposed to Blackwater’s 36 because of their better inside presence.

Meralco made 11 of 33 attempts from beyond the arc and shot 43.5% from the field in terms of offensive efficiency. The team’s improved ball movement and selfless play were evident in their astounding 24 assists. The Bolts only committed 12 turnovers during the game, demonstrating their strong ball protection.

With strong help-side defense and close perimeter coverage, Meralco held Blackwater to 39.2% shooting on defense. Blackwater found it difficult to produce steady offensive output, especially in the third quarter when Meralco outscored them 30–19 to take an overwhelming lead.

Christian David led the Bossing in scoring with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Despite being active the entire time, the former UP standout didn’t get much help from the other players. Sedrick Barefield struggled against Meralco’s defensive pressure, scoring 23 points and dishing out five assists but shooting just 8 of 21 from the field.

Due to their defeat, Blackwater fell to 1-5 in the rankings, which put them close to the bottom of the Philippine Cup standings. The Bossing are now in a must-win position going forward, with just five games left in the elimination phase. The remaining games on their schedule pit them against elite teams like Rain or Shine, Ginebra, and TNT, making the trip to the quarterfinals more challenging.

However, following a patchy start to the conference, the Bolts are gradually regaining their form. They are still in the running for the final few playoff spots after four victories in nine games. Their capacity to maintain momentum and score significant victories in their remaining two games will be crucial.

With a defensive rating of just 89.4 points per game, Meralco is statistically among the top five teams in the league. Despite offensive shortcomings in past games, they have remained competitive due to their ability to contain opposing scorers. Their performance on Tuesday confirmed that they are a tough, defense-first team that can grind out wins.

The team’s tenacity in the absence of an experienced anchor like Hodge will inspire head coach Luigi Trillo in the future. With guys like Aaron Black, Almazan, and Newsome stepping up, Meralco might have found the chemistry it needs to push for a late finish.

The Bolts still have a good chance of making it to the quarterfinals if they can end the eliminations with a 6–5 record. In the past, the Philippine Cup playoff qualifying cutoff point has been six wins.

Meralco’s hopes of making the playoffs will be put to the test as they take on the powerful San Miguel Beermen next. In the event that several teams finish tied in the final rankings, a great performance in that match will not only increase their confidence but also perhaps enhance their seeding.

The journey only becomes more difficult for Blackwater. Head coach Jeff Cariaso will need to improve execution, especially in the halfcourt attack, and get greater consistency out of his bench because there won’t be much room for error.