The Meralco Bolts have punched the final ticket to the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals after a decisive 98-89 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in their knockout quarter-final clash. The game took place on Monday night, December 29, 2025, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Newsome's Fourth Quarter Heroics Seal the Deal
The Bolts' star guard, Chris Newsome, delivered a masterclass performance, erupting for 31 points to lead his team. His brilliance was most evident in the game's crucial moments. After Rain or Shine managed to tie the contest at 77-77 midway through the fourth quarter, Newsome took over. He scored 16 of Meralco's final 21 points, including a personal 6-0 run that gave the Bolts a commanding 90-82 lead with only 1:13 remaining on the clock. The Elasto Painters could not recover from this knockout blow.
A Painful Exit for Rain or Shine
The loss was particularly stinging for the Rain or Shine squad, which entered the quarter-finals holding a twice-to-beat advantage. They squandered this edge after first suffering a 79-96 defeat to the Bolts last Saturday, December 27, forcing the do-or-die match. Despite a valiant effort led by Anton Nocum's 29 points and Gian Mamuyac's 20, they fell short in the endgame against Newsome's onslaught.
Earlier in the game, Meralco established control through the combined efforts of Newsome, Chris Banchero, and CJ Cansino. Banchero finished with 21 points, while Cansino added 14. However, Rain or Shine's resilience set the stage for the dramatic fourth-quarter tie before Newsome's heroics decided the outcome.
Road to the Semifinals
With this victory, the Meralco Bolts advance to face the TNT Tropang 5G in a best-of-seven semifinal series. The Bolts will look to carry the momentum from this hard-fought series win into their next challenge. The team's ability to execute under pressure, spearheaded by Newsome's clutch performance, will be vital against a formidable TNT squad.
Final Scores:
Meralco (98) - Newsome 31, Banchero 21, Cansino 14, Quinto 11, Almazan 5, Rios 5, Hodge 4, Black 4, Bates 2, Pascual 1.
Rain or Shine (89) - Nocum 29, Mamuyac 20, Clarito 9, Malonzo 7, Caracut 7, Santillan 7, Tiongson 6, Norwood 3.
