Meralco rebounds from TNT loss, deals NLEX 4th straight defeat
MANILA, Philippines – The Meralco Bolts quickly returned to their winning ways and dealt the NLEX Road Warriors their fourth straight defeat following a 105-91 blowout in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, January 10.
Meralco import Akil Mitchell atoned for his woeful shooting performance in the Bolts’ two-point loss to the TNT Tropang Giga three days ago with an all-around showing of 24 points on 10-of-18 field goal clip, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals.
With the victory, the Bolts improved to 5-3, while the struggling Road Warriors slipped further to 3-5.
After leading by only 2 points at the halfway mark of the fourth quarter, 88-86, Meralco went on a decisive 9-2 run in the next three minutes to create a 97-88 spread with 3:28 to play.
A three-pointer by NLEX import Mike Watkins in the next possession cut Meralco’s lead back to two possessions, 97-91, but that proved to be the Road Warriors’ final basket as they simply ran out of gas in the endgame.
“Not to take anything away from us, but I think it’s also hard when it’s their first game back,” said Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo of NLEX.
“[NLEX] looked good at the start, but after a while, it’s hard when it’s their first game and we’ve had three games in, so I think it’s an advantage for us,” he added as Meralco played its third game in 2025 compared to NLEX, whose last match was way back on December 20, 2024.
The Bolts overcame a monster double-double performance by Watkins, who posted game-highs of 38 points and 21 rebounds.
It was an all-around effort for Meralco as five more players scored in double-digits aside from Mitchell.
Bong Quinto had 16 points, CJ Cansino added 13, Chris Banchero and Aaron Black contributed 11 each, while Chris Newsome chipped in 10 markers.
Meanwhile, Robert Bolick backstopped Watkins with a double-double of 19 points and 10 assists, but also tallied 8 turnovers in the process.
NLEX’s second round pick in the 2024 PBA Draft Brandon Ramirez came up with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting in his debut for the Road Warriors.
The Scores
Meralco 105 – Mitchell 24, Quinto 16, Cansino 13, Banchero 11, Black 11, Newsome 10, Hodge 9, Bates 8, Rios 3, Almazan 0, Caram 0.
NLEX 91 – Watkins 38, Bolick 19, Ramirez 12, Policarpio 6, Alas 5, Mocon 5, Torres 3, Semerad 3, Rodger 0, Fajardo 0, Miranda 0, Herndon 0, Amer 0.
Quarters: 29-24, 54-49, 77-70, 105-91.
– Rappler.com