MERALCO completed the upset over Rain or Shine, 98-89, on Monday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum to advance to the semifinals of the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup.
The Bolts returned to the semifinals for the first time since their 2024 Philippine Cup title run by overcoming the Elasto Painters' twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs.
Meralco, which came in as the seventh seed in the quarterfinals, will face its sister team TNT in the semifinals.
Chris Newsome knocked down the crucial shots as Meralco finally advanced to the semifinals again after three quarterfinal exits last season.
The loss ended Rain or Shine's quest for a fifth straight semifinals appearance in what also turned out to be Gabe Norwood's farewell game in the PBA.
Newsome had 31 points including a lay-up to respond to Rain or Shine's late rally which chopped down the lead to four, 82-78.
The Meralco star also hit the dagger with 1:13 left to increase the lead to 90-80.
“Rain or Shine, high character team. Last three conferences making the semifinals. They are doing great things there. You know that they are going to keep on coming. Just proud of the guys for the way they gutted it out,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
Chris Banchero had 21 points while CJ Cansino had 15 points and eight rebounds before fouling out.
Adrian Nocum spearheaded the Rain or Shine comeback attempt from 11 points down to finish with 29 points as Gian Mamuyac tallied 20 points.
The scores:
Meralco 98 – Newsome 31, Banchero 21, Cansino 14, Quinto 11, Almazan 5, Rios 5, Hodge 4, Black 4, Bates 2, Pascual 1, Reyson 0.
Rain or Shine 89 – Nocum 29, Mamuyac 20, Clarito 9, Malonzo 8, Caracut 7, Santillan 7, Tiongson 6, Norwood 3, Pringle 0, Villegas 0, Manaytay 0.
Quarters: 20-26; 43-37; 66-59; 98-89.
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