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Meralco Powers Past Converge For Historic Win
Photo credit: PBA
It was all systems go for the Meralco Bolts as they unleashed a dominant performance, rolling to a convincing 109–88 victory over the Converge FiberXers in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup Wednesday at the Ynares Center.
Despite a shaky start that saw them trailing by nine in the opening quarter, the Bolts quickly flipped the switch—and never looked back.
Leading the charge was import Marvin Jones, who made an explosive PBA debut with a game-high 29 points and eight rebounds. He found strong support from a scorching-hot CJ Cansino, who dropped 23 points, including a perfect 2-of-2 from the four-point line and an impressive 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, veteran Chris Newsome delivered his usual steady presence, adding 19 points in what turned into a 21-point blowout—and a milestone 300th franchise win for Meralco.
From the second quarter onward, it was all Meralco. The Bolts unleashed a 26–18 run in the second frame, followed by a 31–20 surge in the third to seize full control of the game.
Converge tried to claw back and trimmed the deficit to nine at one point, but Meralco responded quickly. Cansino drained two clutch four-pointers, while Jones and Newsome knocked down key triples to shut the door for good.
The FiberXers, who were missing Juan Gomez de Liano due to a right knee bone contusion, absorbed their second straight loss following an earlier overtime setback to Terrafirma, dropping to a 1–2 record.
Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo was all praises for his squad’s all-around effort.
“Credit to Marvin—he played really well. CJ was on fire, New delivered, and overall, everyone who stepped on the floor contributed,” he said.
Trillo also noted improvements in the team’s rhythm and execution.
“These early games aren’t perfect yet, but we defended better, moved the ball well, and stayed patient against their zone in the fourth,” he added.
With a statement win to open their campaign, Meralco looks locked in—and ready to keep the momentum going.
Despite a shaky start that saw them trailing by nine in the opening quarter, the Bolts quickly flipped the switch—and never looked back.
Leading the charge was import Marvin Jones, who made an explosive PBA debut with a game-high 29 points and eight rebounds. He found strong support from a scorching-hot CJ Cansino, who dropped 23 points, including a perfect 2-of-2 from the four-point line and an impressive 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, veteran Chris Newsome delivered his usual steady presence, adding 19 points in what turned into a 21-point blowout—and a milestone 300th franchise win for Meralco.
From the second quarter onward, it was all Meralco. The Bolts unleashed a 26–18 run in the second frame, followed by a 31–20 surge in the third to seize full control of the game.
Converge tried to claw back and trimmed the deficit to nine at one point, but Meralco responded quickly. Cansino drained two clutch four-pointers, while Jones and Newsome knocked down key triples to shut the door for good.
The FiberXers, who were missing Juan Gomez de Liano due to a right knee bone contusion, absorbed their second straight loss following an earlier overtime setback to Terrafirma, dropping to a 1–2 record.
Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo was all praises for his squad’s all-around effort.
“Credit to Marvin—he played really well. CJ was on fire, New delivered, and overall, everyone who stepped on the floor contributed,” he said.
Trillo also noted improvements in the team’s rhythm and execution.
“These early games aren’t perfect yet, but we defended better, moved the ball well, and stayed patient against their zone in the fourth,” he added.
With a statement win to open their campaign, Meralco looks locked in—and ready to keep the momentum going.
Mar 19, 2026
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