MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts defeated the NLEX Road Warriors 108-92 on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig, making a strong impression in the 2025 PBA Philippine Cup. In addition to ending NLEX’s six-game winning streak, the win improved Meralco’s record to 5–5, putting them squarely in the running for the playoffs as the elimination round draws to a close.

With a 6–0 record following their first-round loss to San Miguel, the Road Warriors were the league’s hottest team going into the match. But with a solid team effort led by a combination of seasoned veterans and up-and-coming talent, Meralco swiftly hushed the streaking squad. After defeating Blackwater 103-85 earlier, the Bolts have now won two straight games and are settling into a groove at the most important point in the campaign.

Chris Newsome, who finished with 21 points, five assists, and four rebounds, was once again the driving force behind Meralco’s attack. With his experience and solid touch, the seasoned swingman led the squad with efficiency and decisiveness. CJ Cansino, a rookie, scored 20 points in 22 minutes of play, setting a career-high performance. The former UP Maroon gave the squad much-needed scoring depth and added energy off the bench with his poise and aggression.

Chris Banchero contributed 16 points, and Bong Quinto scored 18 points, showcasing his typical all-around performance. Cliff Hodge scored twelve points and made the hustling moves that have come to define his style. The five players worked together to create the nucleus of a strong, well-balanced Meralco assault that outplayed NLEX in the second half.

The third quarter, when Meralco outscored NLEX 32–23, was the game-changing moment. The Bolts increased the pace, strengthened their defense, and took advantage of the errors made by the Road Warriors. Luigi Trillo, the head coach, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, pointing out that the difference was made in the second half by their increased enthusiasm and execution. He also admitted that NLEX, which had recently finished a difficult game the day before, might have been affected by exhaustion.

Robert Bolick of NLEX maintained his impressive season with 22 points, six assists, and four rebounds in spite of the loss. The Road Warriors found it difficult to match Meralco’s intensity in the second half, despite Bolick’s best efforts to keep them within striking distance. Additionally, NLEX suffered from unforced errors and foul problems, which hindered their offensive progress during crucial periods.

NLEX fell to 6–2 with the defeat, but they are still in a solid position close to the top of the rankings, trailing Magnolia (7–1). The Road Warriors will need to get back together fast and concentrate on their next tasks, which include difficult games against Phoenix, Magnolia, and NorthPort, if they are to earn a top-four finish and a twice-to-beat advantage.

However, this win significantly increased Meralco’s chances of making the playoffs. The Bolts are now in the midst of the standings at 5–5, and they need just one more victory to guarantee their place in the quarterfinals. They also have a clear route to postseason qualification because they lead the ninth-place Phoenix Fuel Masters (2–5) by a critical three games.

On May 30, the Bolts will play a high-profile matchup versus Barangay Ginebra in their final elimination game. Meralco’s preparedness will be put to the test in that game, which may also decide their postseason seed. Meralco is trying to peak at the ideal moment with momentum on their side and important players stepping up.

The team’s depth and chemistry are coming together at a crucial moment, according to Coach Trillo, who also commended the rise of young players like Cansino, who has adjusted to the PBA level with ease. He attributed the team’s ability to stay grounded and focused in the face of early conference disappointments to the leadership of seasoned players like Newsome, Banchero, and Hodge.

The defeat reminded NLEX that in a league as cutthroat as the PBA, no winning run is safe. The Road Warriors have the skill and structure to recover, but they will need to strengthen their late-game poise and fix their defensive shortcomings.