Meralco Halts 2-Game PBA Skid After Demolishing Blackwater

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Meralco Bolts are finally back in the winning column of the PBA Philippine Cup following a lopsided victory over the Blackwater Bossing, 103-85, on May 21, 2025, at the Ynares Center.

After suffering back-to-back disappointing losses at the hands of Magnolia and TNT, Meralco just found its spark and reaped the fruits of their intense practice session days before their clash against Blackwater.

With their playoff streak on the line, the Bolts’ management already pressed the emergency button with only two games remaining before the postseason kicks off.

As of now, Meralco holds a sub-par 4-5 win-loss record and is in danger of getting eliminated from their playoff position if they manage to drop their games against NLEX and Barangay Ginebra.

Their win over Blackwater was a positive starting point as they won all four quarters and executed their mapped-out plays according to their game plan.

Superstar Chris Newsome didn’t let his squad down after spearheading Meralco’s early by hitting consecutive perimeter jumpers while anchoring their defensive sets.

During their past two games, defense always became an issue for the Bolts after allowing 117 points against the Chicken Timplados and 101 points against the Tropang Giga.

Adjusted and more disciplined with their approach, Meralco held Blackwater to just 85 points, one of their worst-scoring performances in the ongoing PBA PHL Cup.

After putting the Blackwater scorers in an isolated dry land, the Bolts’ offense just fell into place, thanks to their role players who backstopped Newsome in the must-win game.

UP product CJ Cansino went ready once his number got called and scored in a variety of ways that helped Meralco maintain their double-digit advantage, especially in the second half when he torched the Bossing with back-to-back treys that extinguished the run that they had.

Chris Banchero also became a steady presence for the Bolts as his all-around facilitating game sparked their huge second-quarter rally when they unleashed 30 points en route to a double-digit lead at the half.

Blackwater tried to claw their way back in the third after scoring their best frame with 23 points, but Meralco shut their door in the final period through their consistent two-way outing.

Newsome led the the Bolts with 19 points and seven rebounds while Cansino chipped in 14 markers, five boards, and three assists off the bench.

Meanwhile, Banchero capped off the winning night with a near triple-double of 13 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.