Meralco arrested a two-game losing start after fending off Blackwater. The Bolts will now look to make back-to-back wins, but will have to go through Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup.
Chris Newsome and the Meralco Bolts look to ride the wave of their breakthrough win as they take on Barangay Ginebra in the 2025 PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Friday, October 17.
Gametime is set at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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After opening the season with back-to-back losses, Meralco finally found its spark with a confidence-boosting 105-96 victory over Blackwater.
Newsome, who had struggled with his shooting in the first two games, rediscovered his rhythm with 22 points, including several clutch baskets that sealed the win for the Bolts.
It was a welcome return to form for the Meralco captain, who had averaged just 10.5 points on 6-of-21 shooting prior to the victory.
Cliff Hodge complemented Newsome’s effort with 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, while veterans Allein Maliksi and Brandon Bates added 13 points apiece.
Raymond Almazan also delivered an all-around performance with 11 points, eight boards, and two assists as Meralco built a commanding 51-33 halftime lead and never looked back.
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Now at 1-2, the Bolts face a tougher challenge in an inspired Ginebra squad coming off a 92-77 rout of TNT. With Japeth Aguilar, RJ Abarrientos, and Scottie Thompson all in sync, the Gin Kings appear to be hitting their stride early in the season.
Still, Meralco’s renewed energy and balance could pose a real threat to Ginebra’s momentum. For the Bolts, another big night from Newsome — along with solid contributions from their veteran core — could be the key to scoring back-to-back wins and climbing up the standings.
[ALSO READ: PBA: Japeth Aguilar steers Ginebra to one-sided win over TNT]
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]