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Healthy-again Bolts hang tough, trimming Eastern to snap two-game skid and get 2025 off with a bang
The Meralco Bolts defeated Hong Kong Eastern 88-83 at the Araneta Coliseum, ending a two-game losing streak in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup.
Import Akil Mitchell, still wearing a face mask for a broken nose, led the Bolts with 31 points (18 in the third quarter), 14 rebounds, five assists, and seven steals.
Aaron Black and Chris Newsome sealed the victory with crucial plays and stops in the final minutes.
Coach Luigi Trillo acknowledged the grind-out win, noting that Meralco still needs to improve and missed 19 free throws.
The victory improved Meralco's record to 4-2, while Hong Kong Eastern fell to 6-3.
Meralco welcomed back Brandon Bates and CJ Cansino from injuries, with Allein Maliksi being the only key player still on the mend.
The Bolts are set to play the TNT Tropang Giga on Tuesday and the NLEX Road Warriors on Friday.
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The Meralco Bolts secured a 105-91 victory against the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA Commissioner's Cup, ending Meralco's losing streak and extending NLEX's to four games.
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Meralco, holding a 4-2 record, faces a challenging week in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, starting with a game against TNT on Tuesday, January 7, at PhilSports Arena.
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TNT narrowly defeated sister team Meralco, 101-99, to win their third consecutive game in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson secured TNT's 101-99 victory over Meralco with two clutch free throws in the final seconds of their PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup game.
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