Action between San Miguel and Meralco in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, January 18, 2025 at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur. PBA ImagesMANILA — Chris Banchero and Chris Newsome stepped up big time as the Meralco Bolts boosted its bid for a Top 2 spot in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.

The two veteran guards were at the forefront of their team’s 100-93 victory over the San Miguel Beermen in the league’s Saturday evening offering at the Candon City Arena in Ilocos Sur.

Banchero posted 19 points with a pair each of rebounds and assists, while Newsome finished with 20 markers and four dimes.

Akil Mitchell, meanwhile, was hailed as the Best Player of the Game all thanks to his 26-point, 16-rebound performance with five assists, and this helped Meralco improve to 7-3 in the team standings.

As the Bolts were only leading by five, 98-93, with under a minute left on the game clock, Chris Banchero went hard to the paint in hopes of extending their advantage, and he was successful as the veteran guard salvaged a split from the foul line after being fouled by CJ Perez.

Perez then fired from long range in the next play, but his shot missed the rim and he was even called for an offensive foul.

CJ Cansino was then sent to the free-throw line by the Beermen as they looked to extend the game, and while the former University of the Philippines star only went one-of-two, this proved to be all they needed as the Leo Austria-coached squad fired blanks in their next shots until the final buzzer sounded.

Earlier in the same frame, when Meralco was down by three in the payoff period, Newsome hit a three-pointer from the corner to tie the game at the fourth canto’s 5:15 mark.

The Bolts then increased their distance in the following possessions, as Banchero converted two straight lay-ins, while Akil Mitchell gave his team a seven-point, 96-89 lead by completing an and-one with still 2:53 remaining in the game.

Perez and Malik Pope brought San Miguel to within a possession, 96-93, after they made three shots from the 15-foot-line, but CJ Cansino quickly answered with a mid-range jumper at the 1:47 mark for a 98-93 lead, a vital jumper that eventually resulted in Meralco’s triumph.

On the other hand, June Mar Fajardo put his team on his back anew by delivering 20 markers and 13 rebounds, and giving him help were Perez, Pope, and Trollano who scored 16, 14, and 14, respectively.

Unfortunately, these all went for naught as the Beermen absorbed their fifth loss in nine games, and this meant that they remained in the eighth spot of the team standings.

The Scores:

Meralco 100 – Mitchell 26, Newsome 20, Banchero 19, Reyson 7, Almazan 6, Cansino 6, Mendoza 4, Hodge 4, Rios 3, Torres 3, Quinto 2, Bates 0, Caram 0.

San Miguel 93 – Fajardo 20, Perez 16, Pope 14, Trollano 14, Tiongson 9,Tautuaa 8, Cruz 7, Rosales 5, Ross 0, Brondial 0, Teng 0, Lassiter 0.

Quarterscores:  26-18, 46-47, 80-80, 100-93.