MANILA, Philippines – In a high-stakes road game in the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur on Saturday night, Meralco Bolts defeated San Miguel Beer 100-93, demonstrating tenacity and fortitude. In addition to guaranteeing their spot in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs, the victory moved them up to share second place in the standings with three other teams.

The Bolts maintained their hopes of finishing in the Top Two of the single-round-robin eliminations by extending their winning streak to three games, led by outstanding performances from Chris Banchero, Chris Newsome, and Akil Mitchell. They have a good possibility of gaining a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals because of their great position.

Meralco got out to a great start, using balanced contributions from their key players to create a double-digit lead in the second half. With a remarkable effort of 26 points, 16 rebounds, and five assists, Akil Mitchell proved a formidable opponent. His leadership and adaptability served as the team’s cornerstones on both sides of the floor.

Chris Banchero scored 19 points, including crucial baskets that helped the Bolts retake control in crucial situations, while Chris Newsome added 20 points and consistently produced offensive output. The three of them worked together to withstand San Miguel’s comeback attempts and win the game.

Even though San Miguel Beer put out a strong effort, they were defeated in the last quarter and ended up in an 80-all draw at the end of the third session. CJ Perez contributed 16 points, while June Mar Fajardo led the Beermen with 20 points, displaying his signature dominance in the paint. But the club had trouble staying consistent, particularly with newcomer Malik Pope, who replaced Jabari Narcis and scored just 14 points in his PBA debut.

It cost the Beermen dearly to be unable to maintain momentum in the fourth quarter. Before the Bolts began a dramatic recovery, they briefly seized an 89-86 lead after fighting back to overcome a 70-59 deficit in the third session.

Next are the Heroics of the Fourth Quarter.

Mitchell, Newsome, and Banchero led the push as the Bolts showed poise in the final minutes. Their key offensive run flipped an 86-89 deficit into a commanding 96-89 advantage. Mitchell’s clutch and-one play in the final five minutes highlighted the team’s relentless effort and determination to secure the victory.

This late-game surge sealed Meralco’s third consecutive win, following impressive victories against NLEX (105-91) and NorthPort (111-94). The team’s ability to perform under pressure has been instrumental in their recent success, positioning them as strong contenders in the playoffs.

With the win, Meralco improved to 7-3, joining the NorthPort Batang Pier, Converge FiberXers, and Hong Kong Eastern Dribblers in second place. They are now just one game behind the league-leading TNT Tropang Giga (8-2), keeping the race for the Top Two spots highly competitive.

Conversely, San Miguel dropped to 4-5, holding onto eighth place in the rankings. They remain ahead of the ninth-place Magnolia Hotshots (4-6) and joint 10th placers Phoenix Super LPG and NLEX, both with 3-6 records.

The Bolts’ victory in Candon underscores their ability to execute under pressure and adapt to challenging situations. With their playoff spot secured, the focus now shifts to solidifying their position in the standings and potentially securing a twice-to-beat incentive.

San Miguel faces an uphill battle to recover from this loss and maintain their playoff hopes. The team must quickly regroup and address their inconsistencies, particularly integrating their new import, Malik Pope, into their system.

As the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination phase nears its conclusion, every game becomes increasingly crucial. For Meralco, the journey continues with high stakes and rising expectations, while San Miguel must find a way to reignite their campaign and keep their season alive.

Scores at the end of the match

Meralco with 100 points for the win

Individual scores: Mitchell 26, Newsome 20, Banchero 19, Reyson 7, Almazan 6, Cansino 6, Mendoza 4, Hodge 4, Rios 3, Torres 3, Quinto 2, Bates 0, Caram 0

San Miguel with 93 points

Individual scores: Fajardo 20, Perez 16, Pope 14, Trollano 14, Tiongson 9,Tautuaa 8, Cruz 7, Rosales 5, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Lassiter 0

Scores per quarter

26-18, 46-47, 80-80, 100-93