A Gritty Win Seals the Night at PhilSports Arena
In a nail-biting finish at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Friday night, the Meralco Bolts stunned the NorthPort Batang Pier with a dramatic 105-104 comeback victory in the PBA Philippine Cup. Down by as much as 15 points and trailing for most of the match, the Bolts showed resilience and composure under pressure—seizing the win in the dying seconds thanks to a clutch drive by Bong Quinto.
NorthPort’s Late-Game Collapse
NorthPort controlled the tempo early, building a sizable lead and showcasing a well-balanced attack despite the absence of key scorer Arvin Tolentino. Joshua Munzon stepped up, leading five Batang Pier players in double digits and fueling their early dominance.
However, NorthPort’s inability to convert from the free throw line down the stretch proved disastrous. They missed five crucial free throws in the final minute alone, including two pairs from Sidney Onwubere and Jio Jalalon. Holding a narrow 104-101 lead with only 12 seconds remaining, Onwubere’s missed charities opened the door for Meralco’s final push.
Bong Quinto’s Heroics Seal the Deal
Chris Banchero quickly scored to bring Meralco within one, 103-104, before Jalalon missed two more free throws with 8.4 seconds left. That gave the Bolts one last possession—and Quinto, despite a tough shooting night (6-of-12), answered the call. His fearless drive to the basket with two seconds remaining not only gave Meralco its first lead of the night, but ultimately the win.
Quinto finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, and two assists, while committing three turnovers. His performance, especially that final play, salvaged Meralco’s night and helped the team snap a three-game losing skid, improving their record to 3-3.
Big Contributions from Meralco’s Core
Meralco’s comeback was also powered by strong outings from its core players. Chris Newsome led the scoring with 24 points, while Chris Banchero added 23 and orchestrated the offense with poise. Cliff Hodge was a force inside, contributing 18 points and hauling down 14 rebounds before fouling out in the fourth.
Their efforts were crucial in overcoming a 15-point second-quarter deficit (37-52), and their leadership showed as they methodically chipped away at NorthPort’s lead.
NorthPort’s Fourth Straight Loss
This heartbreaking defeat marked NorthPort’s fourth consecutive loss following a promising opening win against Terrafirma. Despite signs of improvement after blowout defeats to Rain or Shine, Blackwater, and Barangay Ginebra, the Batang Pier failed to execute under pressure.
Missed opportunities, especially from the free throw line, continue to haunt the team. Wil Navarro’s missed jumper at the buzzer symbolized the night—a game they could have won, but ultimately let slip away.
Meralco’s win is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and clutch execution. Meanwhile, NorthPort is left to reflect on another painful collapse and will need to address their endgame composure and free throw shooting if they hope to turn their season around.
The scores:
Meralco 105 – Newsome 24, Banchero 23, Hodge 18, Quinto 17, Black 14, Cansino 3, Bates 2, Jose 2, Rios 2, Almazan 0, Pasaol 0, Caram 0, Torres 0.
NorthPort 104 – Munzon 36, Navarro 14, Jalalon 11, Kwekuteye 10, Flores 10, Nelle 7, Onwubere 7, Cuntapay 6, Bulanadi 3, Nava 0, Taha 0.
Quarterscores: 21-30, 42-54, 74-81, 105-104
