Camille Naredo

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ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1767018063458PBA IMAGES7.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Meralco&#x27;s Chris Newsome in action against Rain or Shine in the semifinals of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, December 29, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Media" width="960"/>Meralco&#x27;s Chris Newsome in action against Rain or Shine in the semifinals of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, December 29, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Media</div>MANILA (UPDATED) -- The Meralco Bolts are headed to the semifinals of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup after pulling away for a 98-89 triumph against Rain or Shine, Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.Chris Newsome took charge for the Bolts down the stretch, making the big plays en route to 31 points, five assists, three rebounds, two blocks and a steal. The win completed Meralco&#x27;s upset of the Elasto Painters in the quarterfinals, as Rain or Shine had been armed with a twice-to-beat advantage after finishing as the No. 2 seed at the end of the elimination round.But they absorbed a 96-79 defeat last Saturday that allowed seventh-seeded Meralco to force a do-or-die game, and the Bolts made sure not to waste the opportunity that they earned.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/12/27/pba-meralco-defeats-rain-or-shine-forces-do-or-die-for-semis-berth-2022">READ: Meralco defeats Rain or Shine, forces do-or-die for semis berth</a></div>With the loss, the Elasto Painters bid goodbye to a pillar of their franchise, <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/10/9/-one-la5t-flight-gabe-norwood-to-retire-after-pba-season-50-ph-cup-1403">Gabe Norwood</a>, who earlier said he would retire at the end of the Philippine Cup. Meralco, meanwhile, arranged a best-of-7 series against TNT in the semis.The game was tied at 77 with six minutes left when Newsome took charge, anchoring a 12-5 exchange capped by a clutch midrange jumper with just 1:13 left for a 90-82 Meralco lead.Adrian Nocum knocked down a triple in the E-Painters&#x27; next possession to give them some hope, 90-85, and Chris Banchero muffed a layup for the Bolts in the following sequence.Cliff Hodge was there for the offensive rebound, however, and Rain or Shine had no choice but to foul Newsome who coolly knocked down both charities to ice the game.Newsome wound up scoring 18 of his 31 points in the final quarter, where he went a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line. Banchero added 21 points for the Bolts, who also got 14 from CJ Cansino and 11 from Bong Quinto. It was a disappointing finish to the conference for the Elasto Painters, who erased a double-digit deficit and went blow for blow with Rain or Shine behind Nocum (29 points) and Gian Mamuyac (20 points).They were the only ROS players in double-digits, however, as the likes of Santi Santillan, Andrei Caracut, and Caelan Tiongson were kept in check by the Meralco defense.<div> </div><div>The Scores:</div>MERALCO 98 – Newsome 31, Banchero 21, Cansino 14, Quinto 11, Almazan 5, Rios 5, Hodge 4, Black 4, Bates 2, Pascual 1, Reyson 0RAIN OR SHINE 89 – Nocum 29, Mamuyac 20, Clarito 9, Malonzo 8, Caracut 7, Santillan 7, Tiongson 6, Norwood 3, Pringle 0, Villegas 0, Manaytay 0QUARTERS: 20-26, 43-37, 66-59, 98-89<div> </div>

The Meralco Bolts are headed to the semifinals of the #PBA50 Philippine Cup after pulling away for a 98-89 triumph against Rain or Shine, Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Meralco Bolts are headed to the semifinals of the #PBA50 Philippine Cup after pulling away for a 98-89 triumph against Rain or Shine, Monday at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA: Newsome takes over as Meralco ousts Rain or Shine

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PBA: Newsome takes over as Meralco ousts Rain or Shine

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 29, 2025 10:05 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 29, 2025 10:23 PM PHT

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abssports

basketball

PBA

PBA Season 50

PBA Philippine Cup

Rain or Shine Elasto Painters

Meralco Bolts

Chris Newsome

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