Meralco Bolts crushed NLEX Road Warriors’ six-game winning run with a commanding 108-92 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup at the PhilSports Arena. The win not only snapped NLEX’s streak but also strengthened Meralco’s playoff positioning with a 5-5 record.

Second Half Surge Seals the Win
Chris Newsome led the way with 21 points, while CJ Cansino added 20 as the Bolts outscored the Road Warriors 32-23 in the third quarter to take full control of the game. With steady support from Bong Quinto, Chris Banchero, and Cliff Hodge—who all scored at least 12—Meralco followed up its 103-85 rout of Blackwater with another high-powered performance.

Coach Luigi Trillo praised his team’s composure and execution, especially against a tough opponent. “NLEX has been playing well… We just did better in the second half, all around,” he said. The win gave Meralco a crucial buffer over ninth-ranked Phoenix (2-5) in the race for playoff spots, with one last elimination game remaining against rival Barangay Ginebra on May 30.

NLEX Falters Despite Strong Start
NLEX, which played back-to-back games following a Friday win over Converge, looked sharp early and led 47-45 at the half. Robert Bolick delivered 22 points, six assists, and four rebounds but committed crucial fouls late in the game as the Road Warriors lost steam in the final quarters.

The loss dropped NLEX to 6-1, half a game behind league-leader Magnolia (7-1), with San Miguel (6-2) and Barangay Ginebra (5-2) in close pursuit. Despite the setback, NLEX remains in the hunt for a top-seed finish, but the missed opportunity for an outright quarterfinal slot was a setback the team will look to bounce back from quickly.