THE Meralco Bolts grabbed its second straight win after it beat the NLEX Road Warriors, 101-92, in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday, October 23, 2020, at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Pampanga.
Chris Newsome sparked the Bolts with his stellar all-around play that resulted in 18 points, six rebounds and six assists, while Allein Maliksi came off the bench and pumped in 11 markers and six boards to help Meralco improve to 3-2 (win-loss) for the season.
Baser Amer and Raymund Almazan had 11 points apiece with the latter grabbing nine boards. Cliff Hogde rounded out Meralco’s double-figure scorers with his 10 points to go with eight rebounds.
NLEX tried to rally in the fourth, pulling to within four, 85-89, late in the game but Newsome responded by scoring five straight to bring Meralco’s lead back to nine with just 3:50 left in the game.
The Road Warriors once again closed to within four, 90-94, after a three-ball Anthony Semerad but Newsome and Maliksi shut the door on NLEX with a jumper and a three-pointer that sealed the victory for the Bolts.
The loss, which pulled NLEX down to 1-4, wasted away the 30-point night of Kiefer Ravena, who was scintillating all game long, making 10 of his 15 attempts from the field. (JNP)