Bolts Strike Back: Meralco’s Second-Half Surge Stuns Ginebra at the Big Dome

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by Lou Reyes

Chris Newsome barks orders during their comeback win against Ginebra last Friday.
Chris Newsome barks orders during their comeback win against Ginebra last Friday. Photo: PBA Images.

The Meralco Bolts turned a sluggish start into a storm of redemption, rallying past the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings with an emphatic 89-75 comeback win in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After trailing by a dozen at halftime, the Bolts flipped the switch in the second half, putting together a fiery two-quarter stretch that completely flipped the script. 

Chris Newsome, CJ Cansino, and Bong Quinto took charge, leading a 33-14 fourth-quarter demolition that sealed Meralco’s second straight victory and sent Ginebra tumbling to a 1-2 start.

Newsome once again proved why he’s the team’s heartbeat, posting 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Cansino poured in 18 markers with his signature energy on both ends. Quinto, quiet early on, erupted in the payoff period for 10 of his 11 points, fueling the late-game blitz that broke Ginebra’s back.

The win marked a gritty response from Meralco after dropping two heartbreakers to Titan Ultra (96-100) and Rain or Shine (95-96 OT). They now improve to 2-2, just in time for their tough Sunday matchup with Magnolia Chicken Timplados at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

Chris Newsome (11) led the Bolts past the Kings.
Chris Newsome (11) led the Bolts past the Kings. Photo: PBA Images.

“We just stayed patient and trusted the system,” said head coach Luigi Trillo, pleased with how his team maintained composure after a cold-shooting first half. The Bolts trailed 30-42 at intermission before roaring back behind improved ball movement and relentless defense.

For Ginebra, the collapse was a harsh wake-up call. RJ Abarrientos led the Kings with 14 points, while Japeth Aguilar, Stephen Holt, and Jeremiah Gray added double figures. However, the offense sputtered when it mattered most, managing only 33 points in the final two quarters.

Former MVP Scottie Thompson struggled to find rhythm, finishing with just six points on 3-of-9 shooting as the Kings failed to recover from Meralco’s defensive adjustments.

The Scores: 

Meralco 89 - Newsome 19, Cansino 18, Quinto 11, Hodge 8, Black 8, Maliksi 7, Almazan 6, Banchero 6, Bates 6, Jose 0, Pascual 0.

Ginebra 75 - Abarrientos 14, Aguilar 13, Holt 12, Gray 10, Estil 9, Thompson 6, Rosario 5, Torres 3, Pinto 3, Cu 0, David 0.

Quarterscores: 16-20, 30-42, 56-61, 89-75.