PBA: Meralco holds off Magnolia in OT to punch semis ticket

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome during a game vs Magnolia Hotshots in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –PBA IMAGES

ANTIPOLO—Meralco secured a ticket to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals after eliminating Magnolia with a 105-102 overtime win at Ynares Sports Center here on Saturday.

The Bolts needed an extra quarter, but Chris Newsome, who finished with 18 points and five assists, reminded them just who they are in the dying moments of the game.

“For us, it was about showing heart, going out and playing every possession like it was our last,” he said. “You have to be able to execute well in playoffs basketball. I’m glad our guys stuck to it today.”

When the score was tied at 100-all in overtime, Bong Quinto made up for his early struggles and pulled up from midrange to give Meralco the 102-100 lead with 37.9 to go. He finished with 11 points.

Jerom Lastimosa, who had carried Magnolia for most of the payoff period, missed a crucial free throw that could’ve tied the game.

Meralco then went 2-of-4 from the line, with splits from Quinto and CJ Cansino, to stretch the lead to 104-101 before a costly turnover from Lastimosa sealed the result.

Magnolia had earlier taken a 90-89 lead late in regulation before Quinto drilled a big triple to swing momentum back to the Bolts, 92-90, with 29.5 seconds left.

Lastimosa, who finished with 28 points, refused to go silently into the night with a breakaway layup to tie the game at 92-all, sending the game to overtime.

Marvin Jones finished just a rebound shy of a double-double with 28 points and nine rebounds for the Bolts, who will face the winner between NLEX and TNT.

Cansino and Cliff Hodge also added with 18 and 16 points.

Clint Chapman, who fouled out with four minutes left in the fourth, scored 26 while Mark Barroca had 22 points as the Hotshots missed the chance to make a deeper run.