The Meralco Bolts and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters clashed in the PBA’s final game of 2025, with high stakes as the winning team would advance to the Philippine Cup semis. It was a battle all night, but the Bolts found just enough in the end to overcome the Elasto Painters, 98–89, and leave the Smart Araneta Coliseum as the final team to secure a ticket to the semifinals.
What Happened?
In a reversal of their first game, Rain or Shine started off stronger, winning the first quarter, 26–20, with their trademark offensive explosion. Meralco, however, showcased its patented stingy defense to outscore the Elasto Painters, 23–11, in the second quarter and take a 43–37 lead into the intermission.
The two teams engaged in a tight third quarter, with the Bolts nudging ahead, 23–22, to take a 66–59 advantage into the payoff period. Rain or Shine rallied to tie the game at 77 and looked poised to seize control, only for the Bolts to uncork a 7–1 mini-run to retake command. Chris Newsome then put the finishing touches on the win to send Meralco to the semis.
Who Stood Out?
Chris Newsome was outstanding for the Bolts, particularly in the fourth quarter, where he scored 20 of his game-high 31 points. He also recorded 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 2 blocks. Chris Banchero ably backed him up, adding 21 points off the bench and ending the game on the floor for his steadiness and decision-making.
On the Rain or Shine side, Adrian Nocum fired a career-best 29 points as he nearly willed his squad to a comeback victory. Gian Mamuyac added 20 points off the bench and helped Nocum rally the Elasto Painters in the second half.
Three Keys to the Game
- Chris Newsome. Newsome was sensational against Rain or Shine on Monday, scoring the Bolts’ final 18 points, including a clutch lay-up and two of his patented mid-range jumpers. Put simply, without Newsome’s closing burst, Rain or Shine might have pulled off the come-from-behind win.
- Defence. In a match-up that largely pitted Rain or Shine’s prolific offense against Meralco’s stifling defense, it was the latter that prevailed. The Bolts’ defence was superb in their earlier win and just as effective on Monday, holding the Elasto Painters to 35.9 percent shooting from the field and a meager 13 percent from deep.
- Starting unit play. For the second consecutive game, Meralco’s starters outplayed their Rain or Shine counterparts, largely on the back of Newsome’s big night and CJ Cansino’s 14 points. The Elasto Painters, meanwhile, drew a huge game from Nocum but received little from fellow starters Gabe Norwood, Stanley Pringle, and Caelan Tiongson.
Next Up for the PBA
The PBA will take a brief break for the New Year celebrations and return on Sunday, 4 January 2026, with a semifinals double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. No. 6 Meralco will take on No. 3 TNT Tropang 5G in the first game, while No. 1 San Miguel Beermen will face off with No. 5 Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the second game. Both series will be best-of-seven.
Meralco vs TNT (5:15 p.m.)
Ginebra vs San Miguel (7:30 p.m.)
