MANILA, Philippines – Meralco drew strength from Chris Newsome and Arinze Onuaku as the Bolts zapped the NLEX Road Warriors, 106-90, in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, May 4.

Newsome fired a career-high 30 points on top of 7 rebounds while Onuaku submitted 15 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals for the Bolts, who returned to the winning column following an 85-86 loss to the GlobalPort Batang Pier.

Meralco, which improved to 2-1, also got timely contributions from Mike Tolomia, who had 15 points, and Jared Dillinger, Baser Amer and Anjo Caram, who scored 10 points apiece in the win.

The Bolts controlled the game from the get-go with a 12-point first-quarter advantage before breaking the game wide open in the second period by leading by as much 24 points, 64-40. 

NLEX trimmed its deficit to as close as 14 points in the payoff period but Meralco remained composed in the endgame. 

Arnett Moultrie tallied 25 points, 17 rebound, 5 assists and 4 steals but that hardly mattered as the Road Warriors remained winless in 3 games. 

Kiefer Ravena finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the loss. 

The Scores:

Meralco (106): Newsome 30, Onuaku 15, Tolomia 15, Amer 10, Caram 10, Dillinger 10, Hodge 7, Canaleta 5, Baracael 4, Ballesteros 0, Hugnatan 0

NLEX (90): Moultrie 25, Ravena 21, Quiñahan 18, Mallari 10, Baguio 6, Tiongson 5, Al-Hussaini 2, Fonacier 2, Ighalo 1, Buenafe 0, Miranda 0, Monfort 0, Soyud 0, Taulava 0

Quarter scores: 24-12, 53-35, 83-66, 106-90

– Rappler.com