Robert Bolick of NLEX soars for a layup against Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, October 26, 2025 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. PBA Media
MANILA -- The NLEX Road Warriors held off the Meralco Bolts, 89-85, in their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup showdown on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The result created a logjam at the top of the league standings, with NLEX tying TNT, Magnolia, Rain or Shine, and Converge at 3-1.
A balanced effort got the job done for the Road Warriors, with five players scoring in double-digits led by JB Bahio's 16 points.
But they needed a strong defensive stand in the closing seconds, after CJ Cansino brought Meralco within two points, 87-85, with 13 ticks to go.
Robert Bolick knocked down two clutch free throws to keep the Road Warriors in control, 89-85.
Meralco still had a chance, but Bong Quinto's four-point attempt misfired at the buzzer, dropping the Bolts to 3-3 in the conference.
Bolick was two rebounds shy of a triple-double, putting up 11 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.
Cansino continued to shine for the Bolts, tallying 24 points, while Chris Newsome (21 points, 11 rebounds) and Cliff Hodge (14 points, 17 boards) both finished with double-doubles.
The Scores:
NLEX 89 – Bahio 16, Alas 12, Bolick 11, Policarpio 10, Herndon 10, , Torres 9, Semerad 7, Fajardo 6, Nieto 5, Mocon 2, Ramirez 1
MERALCO 85 – Cansino 24, Newsome 21, Hodge 14, Caram 9, Quinto 6, Black 5, Bates 4, Comia 2, Maliksi 0, Pascual 0, Almazan 0
QUARTERS: 24-13, 46-45, 68-69, 89-85