PBA: Magnolia beats Meralco anew, forces do-or-die duel

Magnolia Hotshots huddle during a game against Meralco Bolts in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia stayed alive in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs after beating Meralco, 95-89, in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Hotshots have now defeated the Bolts in a row in the past week, and they look to extend their run in a do-or-die match with eyes on the semifinal berth.

“My players responded to my challenge in today’s game,” Magnolia coach LA Tenorio said. “We played a great team with a great coach, they’re a very systematic team and I should know. I have to give credit to the players but we haven’t achieved anything with this win.”

“We just extended our lives.”

Magnolia veteran Ian Sangalang and coach LA Tenorio after the win vs. Meralco. #PBA50 | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/6E8eCf0JkY

— INQUIRER Sports (@inquirersports) May 13, 2026

The Hotshots needed to fend off a massive rally from the Bolts, which came back from 19 points down and shaved the lead to one, 87-86, before Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa sank two straight baskets to keep them at bay, 91-86, with 1:02 remaining.

Chris Newsome answered with a layup to trim the gap to three, 91-88, with under 20 seconds left, but Meralco had to foul Lastimosa to stop the clock.

Lastimosa missed both free throws but grabbed the offensive rebound and earned another trip to the line, calmly sinking both attempts with 17.5 seconds left to keep Magnolia in control, 93-88.

Clint Chapman led the Hotshots with a double-double of 21 points and 12 rebounds. Lastimosa ended up with 17 while Rome Dela Rosa and Ian Sangalang had 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Newsome scored 23 for Meralco, which had its twice-to-beat advantage neutralized, while import Marvin Jones had 16 points and six rebounds.