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Tag: Meralco Bolts

  • TNT Tropang 5G finding perfect timing as Bol Bol and locals click ahead of semifinal showdown 

    TNT Tropang 5G finding perfect timing as Bol Bol and locals click ahead of semifinal showdown 

    As TNT Tropang 5G prepares for its semifinal battle against the Meralco Bolts, the timing of the team’s growing chemistry could not have come at a better moment.


    For weeks, much of the attention has naturally centered on Bol Bol — the towering 7-foot-3 import with NBA pedigree capable of taking over games offensively at any moment. But heading into the playoffs, TNT’s biggest development may not be Bol’s scoring at all. It’s the way the Tropang 5G have evolved around him.

     

    Instead of relying solely on their import to carry the offense, TNT has gradually become more balanced, with local stars finding rhythm and confidence as Bol continues to draw defensive attention.

     

    That shift was evident in TNT’s playoff performances leading into the semifinals, where the locals flourished alongside their import. Veteran guard Jayson Castro finished with 14 points, eight assists, and four rebounds in Game 1, while RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana also became reliable scoring outlets around Bol’s presence.

     

    Castro believes the biggest change has been Bol’s willingness to trust his teammates.

    “I give credit to Bol because he realized we need to play as a team and, at the same time, he has to share the ball,” Castro said.

     

    For TNT, that adjustment has transformed the offense into something far less predictable. Defenses may still focus heavily on Bol, but doing so now leaves opportunities for the rest of the roster to capitalize.

     

    “The locals also stepped up, which I think was big in supporting Bol,” he said.

     

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    The veteran playmaker feels the team is finally discovering its identity after an inconsistent elimination round.

     

    “I think we’re getting the team chemistry at the perfect time in these last few games,” he said. “In the eliminations, we may have lost a lot, but our game is coming together here in the playoffs.”

     

    That cohesion will immediately be tested against a Meralco side that already proved capable of handling TNT once this conference. The Bolts defeated the Tropang 5G, 110-106, during the eliminations after building a lead that reached 20 points.

     

    For head coach Chot Reyes, that previous meeting serves as a warning entering the semifinal series.

     

    “If you remember, in our elimination round game, Meralco beat us. They have so many offensive weapons that it’s incumbent upon us to, number one, defend well and rebound,” said the veteran mentor.

     

    “And they’re also one of the more physical teams in the league. And you see how teams are playing Bol,” he added.

     

    That physical approach is exactly why TNT’s improved offensive balance could become the deciding factor in the series. Bol’s scoring remains a constant threat, but his ability to involve teammates may ultimately determine how far the Tropang 5G can go.

     

    “The attention is almost always on Bol, so he’s been involving us in the offense. He can score anytime, but he’s sacrificed a lot to find us and make us threats as well,” he said.

     

    Now, with the semifinals set to begin Wednesday, TNT enters the series believing its most dangerous version may finally be taking shape — one where Bol Bol no longer has to do everything alone.

     

    “We have to be able to cope with that and play through that. Very well coached. We all know the quality of the coaching staff,” said Reyes.

     

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  • Jerom Lastimosa earns respect from Chris Newsome despite Magnolia Hotshots exit 

    Jerom Lastimosa earns respect from Chris Newsome despite Magnolia Hotshots exit 

    For Magnolia Hotshots, Saturday night ended in heartbreak. For Jerom Lastimosa, it may have marked the arrival of a future franchise leader.

     

    Magnolia bowed out of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals after a painful 105-102 overtime defeat to the Meralco Bolts, but even in defeat, Lastimosa walked away with something just as valuable, the respect of veterans who know what it takes to survive in the league’s biggest moments.

     

    The young guard carried the Hotshots for most of the night, pouring in 28 points alongside four rebounds and two assists while fearlessly attacking a Meralco squad loaded with playoff experience. Every time Magnolia needed a basket, Lastimosa seemed ready to answer, refusing to let the game slip away quietly.

     

    What stood out wasn’t just the scoring, but the responsibility he willingly embraced. In a tense playoff atmosphere, the ball repeatedly found its way to his hands, and he welcomed the pressure instead of shying away from it.

     

    Even opposing star Chris Newsome couldn’t help but admire the performance unfolding in front of him.

     

    “The sky’s the limit for him. He shows that he’s capable of doing things in crunch time, which is commendable to him, because he’s willing to put that on his shoulders at such a young age,” Newsome said. 

     

    Newsome finished with 18 points and five assists of his own to help send Meralco into the semifinals, but his appreciation for Lastimosa’s growth runs deeper than one playoff duel. 

     

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    The two were teammates during the 32nd Cambodia SEA Games in 2023 under Gilas Pilipinas, where Newsome first saw signs that the former Adamson standout could thrive at the professional level.

     

    “He was part of the SEA games team before and we were teammates. I knew from that moment and when he was in Adamson that he was going to be a tough kid in the league and he’s proving that every night out,” the 35-year-old guard said. 

     

    That toughness showed late in regulation and overtime as Lastimosa traded big plays with veteran forward Bong Quinto. But as the minutes piled up, fatigue slowly crept in. 

     

    With 23.5 seconds left, he split a pair of free throws that could have tied the contest, opening the door for Meralco to finally escape. The missed opportunity will likely linger, but so will the lesson. For players expected to become stars, playoff scars are often part of the process.

     

    Under coach LA Tenorio, Lastimosa has steadily earned trust in crucial situations, and against Meralco, he showed he can handle both the spotlight and the burden that comes with it. 

     

    Newsome believes this performance will eventually fuel Lastimosa’s rise even more.

     

    “For now, I’m glad that we got the one-up on him on this one, but I know he’s gonna be hungry whenever we do get that matchup again, and it’s only gonna make him a better competitor down the road,” the Ateneo de Manila product said. 

     

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  • Allen Durham encourages Meralco Bolts ahead of do-or-die Game 2 vs Magnolia 

    Allen Durham encourages Meralco Bolts ahead of do-or-die Game 2 vs Magnolia 

    As the Meralco Bolts brace for a crucial follow-up clash against the Magnolia Hotshots in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals, familiar figure Allen Durham provided both presence and perspective from the sidelines.


    The three-time Best Import returned to support his former squad after Meralco stumbled in Game 1, watching closely as the Bolts failed to clinch an outright semifinal spot and instead allowed Magnolia to force a deciding rubber match.

     

    Despite the setback, Durham kept his message simple and steady for the team still trying to rediscover its rhythm in a high-pressure series.

     

    “They just got to keep playing. We’ve been in this position before,” he said.

     

    One of the Bolts’ main struggles in Game 1 came from import Marvin Jones, who endured a difficult shooting night. He finished with 16 points and six rebounds but struggled from the floor, going just 3-of-15 from field goal attempts as Meralco failed to close out the game.

     

    Even so, Durham defended his fellow import’s effort and impact beyond the stat sheet.

     

    “I think he played pretty good. He just missed shots that he normally makes. He had a couple bunnies but if those bunnies fall, it’ll be a completely different game,” Durham said.

     

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    For Meralco, the challenge now shifts from disappointment to adjustment, with Game 2 shaping up as a defining moment in their season.

     

    Durham’s courtside appearance at the Ynares Center came as a morale boost for Meralco, even as the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots managed to extend the series and keep their own semifinal hopes alive.

     

    Durham’s long-standing bond with the franchise remains one of the defining storylines of Meralco’s recent history. 

     

    Over multiple stints with the Bolts, he served as the centerpiece of their playoff runs, guiding the team to several Governors’ Cup Finals appearances and earning three Best Import awards while becoming one of the most productive imports in the league.

     

    Following the game, Durham also reflected on life after his 2024 PBA retirement, sharing how he has transitioned into a quieter but still basketball-connected lifestyle back in the United States.

     

    “It’s good. I’m doing a little bit of coaching back home, a little bit of business, and most of all just chilling with my kids,” said Durham.

     

    Even away from the league, Durham continues to stay close to the game through mentoring young players while balancing family time and business ventures.

     

    The Meralco Bolts are now set for a high-stakes rematch against Magnolia on Saturday at the Ynares Center, where a semifinal ticket will hang in the balance.

     

    In their previous meeting in Game 1 of the quarterfinal series, Meralco showed flashes of control early but struggled to sustain their defensive intensity in the closing stretches, allowing Magnolia to capitalize on key possessions down the stretch and seize momentum heading into the deciding game. 

     

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  • Meralco, Magnolia meets again with semifinal spot at stake 

    Meralco, Magnolia meets again with semifinal spot at stake 

    The PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals shift into high gear as the Meralco Bolts and Magnolia Hotshots collide once again on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium—this time a semifinal ticket hanging in the balance.


    Meeting for the second time in just four days, the fourth-seeded Bolts and fifth-seeded Hotshots enter a familiar but far more dangerous setting.

     

    Unlike their elimination encounter, where Magnolia prevailed 93–76, this rematch carries immediate consequences, as the winner advances to the best-of-seven semifinals against the victor of the NLEX-TNT series.

     

    Meralco, finishing the eliminations at 8–4, spent much of the conference building stability before peaking at the right moment. After an uneven 3–3 start, the Bolts found their rhythm and surged with a three-game winning streak, dismantling Ginebra, Blackwater, and Terrafirma by an average margin of 27 points. 

     

    Their consistency has been anchored by import Marvin Jones, who has led the way with 22.4 points per game. He has been supported by CJ Cansino’s 16.0 points and Chris Newsome’s 13.8 average, forming a reliable local-import balance that has carried Meralco through tight stretches of the conference.

     

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    Magnolia, on the other hand, has been one of the conference’s most dramatic turnaround stories.

    After stumbling to an 0–3 start, the Hotshots reshaped their season following the arrival of import Clint Chapman. Since his debut, Magnolia has gone 7–2, transforming from early strugglers into one of the most dangerous teams entering the playoffs. 

     

    Chapman immediately set the tone with a dominant 39-point, 15-rebound performance against Blackwater, and has since averaged 26.4 points across the eliminations.

     

    The Hotshots also leaned heavily on Xavier Lucero, who has contributed 15.8 points per game, alongside Jerom Lastimosa’s 12.8 scoring output. Their late-season surge included six wins in their last eight games, a run that propelled them firmly into contention despite finishing at 7–5.

     

    Their most recent meeting with Meralco, however, added an extra layer of intensity to this rematch. Magnolia’s 93–76 victory in the eliminations finale not only extended their winning streak to three games but also exposed the physical edge expected to carry into the playoffs. 

     

    Meralco carries a twice-to-beat advantage, meaning they only need one win to move forward. Magnolia, meanwhile, must replicate their recent form under pressure and string together two perfect performances to survive.

     

    Despite the pressure, both sides enter the matchup believing in their identity—Meralco trusting its balance and consistency, Magnolia banking on its explosive late-season transformation. 

     

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  • Chris Newsome’s Sabrina 3 turns Gilas pride into a global sneaker story

    Chris Newsome’s Sabrina 3 turns Gilas pride into a global sneaker story

    Nike recently unveiled the Sabrina 3 dressed in red, white, and blue with a gold Swoosh, a design deeply rooted in Filipino symbolism. But behind that striking palette lies a more personal origin, it was conceptualized by PBA standout Chris Newsome, who has long used Nike’s customization platform to craft personal pairs during his stints with the Meralco Bolts and Gilas Pilipinas.


    For Newsome, however, this release goes beyond style or performance. It represents a narrative shaped by years of representing the country on different stages.

     

    “We had the freedom to choose exactly what we wanted to do, and I wanted to use mine to represent the country,” Newsome said.

     

    That intention eventually aligned with WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu, who had her own connection to the Philippines after visiting Manila during her Nike Asia Tour in March 2025. 

     

    Her trip, which included an exhibition game at the SMART Araneta Coliseum, left a lasting impression—one that quietly set the stage for a collaborative project rooted in shared appreciation for Filipino basketball culture.

     

    Unbeknownst to Newsome at the time, he and Gilas Women’s standout Camille Clarin were later selected by Ionescu herself to help bring a special sneaker concept to life.

     

    “They were offering some players here the opportunity to have a shoe that was made by some of the players, and Camille Clarin and I were actually the two that Sabrina remembered, that she chose for us to be able to create,” he said.

     

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    From there, the process became more than design—it turned into storytelling. Video calls with Nike teams guided them through everything from early concepts to final execution, with each detail reflecting Filipino identity and competitive spirit.

     

    The result was the Nike Sabrina 3 “Laban Pilipinas,” a shoe that blends cultural symbolism with performance aesthetics. White serves as the foundation, layered with blue pleated overlays, red Flywire cables, and matching red embroidery. Gold Swooshes on both sides elevate the design, while “LABAN” is engraved on the left midsole and “PHI” on the right—an unmistakable nod to the national rallying cry.

     

    Subtle details tie it all together are Newsome’s number “3” appears in blue on the heel, while an icy outsole grounds the design in performance readiness. Every element, crafted through Nike By You, reflects intentional storytelling rather than mass production.

     

    “It’s a Nike By You campaign. And they want people to kind of get into the customization of making your own shoe and just supporting Sabrina and her line. And she wants to expand her line globally, make a bigger impact,” Newsome said.

     

    The shoe has already made its on-court debut, first appearing during Meralco’s dominant 112–91 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup last May 1 at the Big Dome. It is expected to become a regular fixture in his rotation moving forward.

     

    More than just a PBA statement piece, Newsome is also planning to bring it to the international stage when FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers resumes in July, further extending its symbolic reach as a representation of Filipino basketball pride.

     

    “I’m excited to wear it in our next window come July,” the 34-year-old Gilas Pilipinas guard said.

     

    On the other hand, Newsome and Meralco Bolts currently sit in fourth place with an 8–4 win-loss record and are set to face the Magnolia Hotshots.

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  • CJ Cansino leads Meralco’s top four push in PBA Commissioner’s Cup  

    CJ Cansino leads Meralco’s top four push in PBA Commissioner’s Cup  

    For CJ Cansino, the numbers tell one story—but the bigger picture is about something deeper taking shape within the Meralco Bolts.

     

    The Bolts’ 108-93 win over Blackwater Bossing on Sunday didn’t just improve their record to 7-3. It also kept Meralco firmly in the hunt for a coveted twice-to-beat advantage as the elimination round nears its conclusion.

     

    For Cansino, that opportunity carries personal weight.

     

    “I’m always motivated naman pero siyempre, iba pa rin ’yong feeling na lagi kang nananalo. Since dumating ako dito, ’di kami nakakapasok sa top four,” he said.

     

    “Ngayon, sobrang important nito sa’kin. Nagbubuild ng culture ‘yong Meralco at kasama ako do’n kaya sobrang motivated ako.”

     

    That culture shift has coincided with Cansino’s growing role in the team.

     

    Against Blackwater, the former University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines standout once again provided steady production with 12 points, six rebounds, three steals, and two assists. While it wasn’t his biggest scoring night, it reflected the all-around impact he has consistently delivered this conference.

     

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    Through nine games, Cansino is currently Meralco’s leading local scorer, averaging 17.6 points per game. His influence goes beyond raw scoring numbers, with a 27.5 usage rate—an advanced metric that tracks how often a player is directly involved in offensive possessions—ranking among the highest on the team.

     

    That workload highlights just how much responsibility has been placed on his shoulders.

    Rather than fading under that pressure, Cansino has embraced it, emerging as one of the Bolts’ most dependable offensive options while already collecting three Player of the Game citations in crucial wins.

     

    As of posting, Meralco remains third in the standings behind NLEX Road Warriors and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, with one final push left to secure a playoff edge.

     

    Next up is Terrafirma Dyip on Friday, a game that could further strengthen the Bolts’ grip on a top-four finish.

     

    For Cansino, though, the mission goes beyond standings and statistics.

     

    Meralco is trying to establish itself as more than just a playoff team—it is trying to become a consistent contender. And with Cansino taking on a heavier offensive burden while buying into that vision, the Bolts are inching closer to that identity.

     

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  • PBA: Ginebra eyes top spot, Meralco fights to stay afloat 

    PBA: Ginebra eyes top spot, Meralco fights to stay afloat 

    Momentum and desperation collide Friday night—and only one will win out.

     

    Barangay Ginebra San Miguel enters the Smart Araneta Coliseum riding the confidence of a five-game surge, looking less like a contender and more like a team peaking at exactly the right time. On the other end, Meralco Bolts arrives searching for answers, trying to stop a slide that threatens to undo its strong start.

     

    Same court. Very different stakes. For Ginebra, the math is simple—win, and they force a three-way tie at the top with NLEX Road Warriors and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 8-2. Lose, and they fall a step behind with the elimination round nearing its end.

     

    But for head coach Tim Cone, the focus isn’t on standings—or streaks.

     

    It’s about consistency. Facing a Meralco squad coached by Luigi Trillo, Cone knows the challenge lies in sustaining their level for a full 48 minutes against a team that has every reason to fight back.

     

    Because Meralco isn’t just playing to win—it’s playing to stay relevant.

     

    At 5-3, the Bolts are clinging to a Top Four position, but the margin for error is shrinking. A win lifts them to 6-3 and stabilizes their campaign. A loss drops them to 5-4, pulling them into the chaos of the middle pack where one bad stretch can erase playoff positioning.

     

    Even the numbers from the betting side hint at how tight this matchup is. According to OKBet, Ginebra carries a slight edge at 1.91 odds, while Meralco is close behind at 1.86—an indicator that despite contrasting momentum, the gap between the two teams is razor-thin.

     

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    And if there’s one thing Meralco needs, it’s stability—especially from its import.

     

    The spotlight shifts to the battle between Justin Brownlee and Marvin Jones, two players with contrasting styles but identical responsibilities.

     

    Brownlee continues to be the heartbeat of Ginebra’s surge, flirting with triple-double numbers during their streak. His value goes beyond the stat sheet—it’s in the timing of his plays, the calm he brings, and the way he dictates big moments.

     

    Jones, meanwhile, offers a different kind of impact. He thrives on energy—putbacks, defensive stops, and transition plays. But against a team like Ginebra, flashes won’t be enough. Meralco needs a complete performance from him, especially after uneven outings in recent losses to NLEX and San Miguel.

     

    Because against a team this locked in, “almost” doesn’t count.

     

    What makes this matchup compelling isn’t just the records—it’s the contrast in trajectory. One team is climbing, the other is trying not to fall.

     

    And in a conference where every possession matters and every game shifts the standings, Friday’s showdown feels less like a regular-season game—and more like a turning point.

     

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  • Meralco’s Go-To Guy?: CJ Cansino steps up as the Bolts’ emerging leader

    Meralco’s Go-To Guy?: CJ Cansino steps up as the Bolts’ emerging leader

    Is CJ Cansino the new face of Meralco? Four wins into their campaign, the Bolts are beginning to lean on a different kind of spark—one that has steadily grown from promising scorer to reliable centerpiece. And Cansino is making sure the spotlight finds him.

     

    He has already collected three Player of the Game honors in Meralco’s four victories this conference, a stretch that underscores both his consistency and his rising importance to the team.

     

    It all started in their opening statement. Cansino erupted for 23 points and eight rebounds to power Meralco to a 109-88 rout of the Converge FiberXers, immediately setting the tone for what would become a breakout run. He didn’t slow down from there.

     

    In the games that followed, he elevated his play even further—dropping a conference-high 26 points along with six rebounds and six assists in a 118-105 win against Titan Ultra. His ability to impact multiple facets of the game has turned him into a nightly problem for opposing defenses.

     

    Even in tighter contests, Cansino has shown poise beyond his years. Against the Bol Bol-led TNT Tropang Giga, leading the Bolts to a 110-106 win as he scored in crucial stretches. 

     

    The PBA All-Star fired 19 points coupled with 4 rebounds and 4 assists, knocking down timely baskets that kept Meralco afloat when momentum threatened to swing the other way. It’s that composure—more than just numbers—that’s beginning to define his campaign.

     

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    But this rise didn’t begin in the Commissioner’s Cup. Signs of his emergence were already evident during the Philippine Cup, where he averaged a team-leading 18.5 points per game. That run was highlighted by a career-high 36-point explosion in Game 5 of their semifinal series against TNT, a performance that, despite ending in defeat, signaled his readiness for a bigger role.

     

    Consistency became his calling card. Cansino strung together three straight 20-point games in that conference, earning PBA Player of the Week honors for December 10 through 14, after averaging 23.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and shooting an efficient 56 percent from the field while leading Meralco to a perfect 3-0 stretch.

     

    Now, he’s carried that momentum into the current season. Through the ongoing conference, the former UAAP champion with the UP Fighting Maroons is averaging 18.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3 assists per game, while shooting a blistering 47.1 percent from beyond the arc—numbers that place him among the league’s most efficient and dependable scorers.

     

    What makes Cansino’s rise even more compelling is the journey behind it. His collegiate career never quite followed a smooth trajectory. His most productive season came as a rookie with UST, where he posted 12.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and nearly four assists per game before an ACL injury abruptly halted his momentum. Yet even then, flashes of brilliance were undeniable.

     

    On his 19th birthday, he made UAAP history as the first rookie in 15 years  to record a triple-double—finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over the University of the East. It was a glimpse of the all-around talent that many believed would eventually surface at the next level.

     

    Years later, that potential is no longer theoretical. Across multiple reports and league observations, Cansino’s growth has been attributed to his improved shot selection, confidence in big moments, and a clearer role within Meralco’s system. No longer just a scorer, he has evolved into a dependable two-way contributor capable of carrying stretches of the game.

     

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  • CJ Cansino turns TNT heartbreak into fuel as Meralco escapes with gritty win 

    CJ Cansino turns TNT heartbreak into fuel as Meralco escapes with gritty win 

    CJ Cansino and Meralco came away with more than just a win on Tuesday night. The Bolts leaned on both composure and experience to hold off TNT, 110-106, in a tense PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup showdown at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, turning what looked like a comfortable win into a hard-earned statement against their longtime rivals.

     

    Meralco appeared to be in full control for most of the game. Behind a balanced attack and steady defensive effort, the Bolts built a lead as big as 20 points and looked ready to cruise to victory before TNT came alive in the fourth quarter and made things interesting late.

     

    The Tropang 5G erupted for 35 points in the final frame and unleashed a 12-0 run to cut the deficit to just 107-105 with one minute left.

     

    That late rally forced Meralco to dig deep, and according to Cansino, the game came down to who simply wanted it more in the closing stretch.

     

    “Well yung last minute siguro para sakin, kung sino nalang gusto manalo dun e,” Cansino said after the game.

     

    For Meralco, the urgency also came from memory. The Bolts have gone through their share of painful battles against TNT, and Cansino admitted those experiences were still very much in their minds heading into this latest rivalry clash.

     

    “Alam mo nandun parin yung nangyari sa past experience namin with TNT,” he said.

    That history helped fuel Meralco in the final minutes, especially as TNT threatened to erase everything the Bolts had built.

     

    “‘Yung experience namin in the last series, grabe ang sakit, at ayaw namin maulit. Yung mga nangyari, dala namin sa game,” Cansino added.

     

    Meralco’s defense then came through when it mattered most.

     

    The Bolts forced TNT into difficult late-game possessions, including a crucial stop where they disrupted Bol Bol and prevented Jordan Heading from getting a clean lane, eventually forcing RR Pogoy into an off-balance three-point attempt that came up short.

     

    That kind of connected defense helped Meralco survive and secure its second straight win. Marvin Jones led the way for the Bolts with 29 points and 12 rebounds, providing the inside presence Meralco needed throughout the game.

     

    Cansino, who was later named Player of the Game, backed him up with 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists in another strong all-around performance.

     

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    Raymond Almazan gave Meralco a lift off the bench with 12 points and five rebounds, while Cliff Hodge chipped in 10 points before fouling out late.

     

    Chris Newsome also delivered in crunch time, sinking two clutch free throws with 14.3 seconds left to stretch the lead to 109-105 and give the Bolts enough cushion to hold off TNT’s final push.

    Bol Bol still finished with 28 points and 12 rebounds for TNT, but it was his lowest output so far this conference.

     

    After averaging 37.3 points, 16.3 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks through his first three games, Meralco did enough to make life more difficult for the towering import and keep him from fully taking over.

     

    Jordan Heading also tried to keep TNT alive with 21 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting from three-point range, while Calvin Oftana added 10 in the losing effort.

     

    Still, the comeback fell short, snapping TNT’s two-game winning streak and dropping the Tropang 5G to 2-2 in the standings.

     

    For Cansino, Meralco’s strength comes from the way the team shares responsibility instead of relying on one player to carry the load every night.

     

    “Sa Meralco naman di namin sinasabi na ikaw yung mataas yung average, ikaw yung gagawa,” he said.

     

    That approach was clear in Tuesday’s win, as multiple players stepped up in key moments to help Meralco finish the job.

     

    Cansino added that his own mindset is simply to take the shots and opportunities that the game gives him.

     

    “Nasasaktuhan lang na ako yung nalilibre sa time na yon, yung role na yun kung sakin lang bibigay yung mga reads sa game, titira ko,” he said.

     

    In the end, Meralco did not need a perfect finish.

     

    It just needed enough composure, enough stops, and enough trust to finally come out on top in a rivalry game that tested both its nerves and memory.

     

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  • Marvin Jones credits team basketball for Meralco Bolts’ win over TNT

    Marvin Jones credits team basketball for Meralco Bolts’ win over TNT

    The Meralco Bolts have surged into early contention in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, putting together an impressive 4–1 record that currently places them second in the standings. Their strong start continued on Tuesday, April 7, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, where they held off a late rally from TNT Tropang Giga to secure a hard-earned 110–106 victory.

     

    Facing a TNT side reinforced by former NBA talent Bol Bol, Meralco appeared in full control for much of the contest. The Bolts built a commanding lead that ballooned to as much as 20 points, showcasing fluid ball movement and efficient scoring. However, the Tropang Giga mounted a fierce comeback in the latter stages, capitalizing on momentum swings and key possessions to narrow the gap and threaten an upset.

     

    Despite the late-game pressure, Meralco maintained its composure down the stretch, with import Marvin Jones leading the charge. Jones delivered a standout performance, finishing with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and two assists. His presence on both ends of the floor proved decisive, particularly as TNT intensified its comeback bid.

     

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    Jones outshone his high-profile counterpart Bol Bol, not only with his scoring output but also through his leadership and adherence to a team-first approach. His impact was complemented by a strong showing from CJ Cansino, who chipped in 19 points, providing timely baskets that helped steady Meralco during crucial stretches. Veteran big man Raymond Almazan also made his presence felt with 12 points, contributing to the Bolts’ interior stability.

     

    After the game, Jones emphasized the importance of team play over individual matchups, reflecting a philosophy shaped by his extensive experience overseas.

    “That’s just the mentality every game, you go out, you play a team game. I don’t make it about a one-on-one match, I don’t know how to play basketball that way. I’m used to playing a team game like in Europe. You share the ball, you move the ball and that’s the philosophy here,” Jones said in the postmatch press conference.

     

    Meralco’s near-collapse after building a sizable lead was not lost on Jones, who acknowledged the natural ebb and flow of the game and the resilience of their opponents.

     

    “That’s what happens when you get up 16, 18, 20 points, you start to play a little bit uncomfortable, the other team is under pressure, so they made some shots, they made a run and you’d expect it. It’s a 48-minute game, they got some foul calls down there, but that was kind of iffy, but we came out with the win,” he added.

     

    Jones, who has built a well-traveled professional career across various European leagues, continues to adjust to the PBA style of play. His seamless transition has been a major boost for Meralco, especially after the team opted to bring him in instead of retaining former import Ismael Romero.

     

    “It’s my first time playing in Asia so I didn’t know all the backstory of TNT being the defending champion. I just try to play the game the right way and win every game. But it’s good to see everybody, energy is high and it felt good,” Jones concluded.

     

    With momentum firmly on their side, the Bolts will look to sustain their strong form as they prepare for their next assignment. They are set to face guest team Macau Black Knights on Saturday, April 11, once again at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, in what promises to be another crucial test of their early-season credentials.

     

     

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