MERALCO avoided a massive collapse and held on in the fourth period to beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 85-78, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Thursday, November 5, at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga.

The Bolts went berserk in the third canto and outscored the Elasto Painters, 28-7, to erect leads that went as high as 23 points. However, Rain or Shine battled back in the fourth before Meralco got their bearings together to snatch their fifth win in eight games.

Rain or Shine dropped their second straight game and fell to 4-3 (win-loss).

Chris Newsome was Meralco’s high-point man with 17 points, while Baser Amer finally found his groove and had 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Reynel Hugnatan added 13 markers.

Ahead by just two at halftime, Meralco sizzled in the third with a massive 22-2 run that gave them a 70-48 advantage. Rain or Shine tried to come back and came within six late in the fourth but Newsome calmly sank free-throws to keep the Elasto Painters at bay.

Rain or Shine was led by many-time league MVP James Yap, who fired in 18 points. (JNP)