PBA: Meralco fends off Blackwater to end two-game slump

Meralco finally broke through in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, but not without a few scares as it nearly squandered a 24-point lead before holding off a Blackwater squad, 105-96, on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Chris Newsome spearheaded the Bolts with 22 points, a rebound, and two assists, while Cliff Hodge chipped in 14 markers, eight boards, and two dimes to help Meralco snap its two-game skid and rise to 1-2. 

The win allowed Meralco to bounce back from back-to-back losses---a four-point defeat at the hands of debuting team Titan and a one-point setback against Rain or Shine. 

The Bossing, meanwhile, dropped to 1-1 after winning over Terrafirma in its opener. 

"For us, it's keeping the big picture in mind at all times. You know, it's always tough whenever you lose heartbreakers like that, close games like that. But it's still early in the season," Newsome said. 

"You'll never know what can happen throughout the season. The veterans stepped up and they were vocal in practice and I think that's what this program needs, it's the veterans to be vocal and the young guys to listen and adapt."

The Bolts had a stellar outing in the first three quarters, leading by as many as 24 when Aaron Black completed a layup off a CJ Cansino pass that saw the Bolts take a 65-41 cushion early in the third frame. 

But Blackwater went on a blast behind RK Ilagan, Sedrick Barefield, and Abu Tratter as the Bossing pulled within 10 before heading to the payoff period, 84-74. 

Barefield even cut Blackwater's deficit to a single digit, 97-89, in the final 2:37 before veterans Allein Maliksi, Newsome, and Hodge powered a 7-3 run as the Bolts raced to a 104-92 cushion. 

Maliksi and Brandon Bates chipped in 13 points each while Raymond Almazan churned out 12 markers, eight rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News