MANILA – Meralco Bolts showed steadiness in the fourth quarter to score a 121-111 victory over Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Kier John Quinto stepped up with 20 points, including 10-of-12 free throw shooting, to go with four rebounds and four assists to be named Player of the Game as the Bolts improved to a 2-0 win-loss slate.
With the Painters threatening to within three points early in the fourth quarter, the Bolts got timely conversions from Norbert Torres, Aaron Black, and Ilonggo Anjo Caram for a 110-101 advantage.
Rain or Shine still managed to cut the deficit to as low as five points at 111-116 with over a minute left, but Meralco responded with free throws from Jansen Rios and Quinto to seal the win.
Chris Newsome led the Bolts with 25 points, Rios and Torres contributed 16 and 13 markers, respectively, while Raymond Almazan ended with a double-double of 12 points and 16 rebounds in the win.
Keith Datu top-scored for the Painters (0-1) with 17 points, Adrian Nocum added 15 markers, while Leonard Santillan, Jhonard Clarito, Caelan Tiongson, and Andrei Caracut ended with 14, 13, 12, and 11 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, Robert Bolick Jr. bounced back from a subpar offensive game to guide NLEX Road Warriors to a 107-95 victory over the Blackwater Bossing.
The former San Beda University Red Lions star finished with a double-double of 23 points and 10 assists to go with five rebounds and two steals as the Road Warriors improved to a 1-1 win-loss slate.
“Nakakahiya nga ‘yung performance na ‘yun,” Bolick said, referring to his three-point showing during the Road Warriors’ 114-87 defeat to NorthPort Batang Pier last Thursday.
Michael Griffin-Watkins led the way with a double-double of 26 points and 21 rebounds, Richie Rodger added 14 markers, while rookie Xyrus Torres and Enoch Valdez had 12 and 11 points, respectively, for NLEX./PN
BOX SCORE:
MERALCO 121 – Newsome 25, Quinto 20, Rios 16, Torres 13, Almazan 12, Hodge 11, Caram 10, Black 9, Jose 2, Pascual 2, Pasaol 1, Mitchell 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 111 – Datu 17, Nocum 15, Santillan 14, Clarito 13, Tiongson 12, Caracut 11, Lemetti 9, Belga 6, Norwood 5, Malonzo 5, Ildefonso 2, Demusis 2.
Quarterscores: 33-25, 52-49, 89-81, 121-111.
