Meralco escapes NLEX for back-to-back win in PBA bubble

The Meralco Bolts cruised past the NLEX Road Warriors on Friday, 101-92, to notch their third win in the PBA Philippine Cup elimination round in Pampanga.

Opening the final period with a 73-65 disadvantage, the Road Warriors tried to mount a comeback and trimmed its deficit, 94-90, with 2:25 left in the game. However, shots from Chris Newsome and Allein Maliksi widened the gap to 99-90 at the 1:20 mark, giving Meralco enough cushion to take their second straight win.

Newsome and Maliksi combined for 35 points of the Bolts’ output, to spoil Kiefer Ravena’s 30-point performance for NLEX.

Meralco, now with a 3-2 record, will play the San Miguel Beermen on Wednesday. NLEX, holding a 1-4 card, will try to bounce back against Phoenix on Monday.

Box scores:

Meralco 101 -- Newsome 18, Maliksi 17, Amer 11, Almazan 11, Hodge 10, Quinto 9, Black 9, Jamito 7, Hugnatan 6, Jackson 3, Pinto 0, Faundo 0, Caram 0, Jose 0.

NLEX 92 -- Ravena 30, Semerad 16, Alas 10, Cruz 9, Porter 8, Ayonayon 7, Soyud 6, Quinahan 6, Varilla 0, Miranda 0, Ighalo 0.

– RC, GMA News