Meralco Edges Magnolia Behind CJ Cansino’s Clutch Heroics
The Meralco Bolts nearly let a huge lead slip away but regained composure just in time, surviving the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 78–76, in a nail-biting finish on Sunday night at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal.
Sophomore swingman CJ Cansino rose to the occasion, delivering a career night with 23 points, six rebounds, and four blocks while making the game’s biggest plays on both ends. His late-game heroics powered Meralco to its third straight win in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup, improving their record to 3–2.
Meralco looked dominant early, holding Magnolia to just seven first-quarter points and building an 18-point cushion in the second frame, 29-11. But the Hotshots refused to fold, mounting a furious comeback behind Jerom Lastimosa and Zavier Lucero, who combined for multiple clutch buckets down the stretch.
Lucero’s triple gave Magnolia a 72–71 lead with just 41 seconds remaining, but Cansino answered right back with a tough floater to reclaim the lead for Meralco, 73–72, with 31 seconds left. The 25-year-old guard then made a key defensive stop on Lastimosa’s drive before calmly sinking free throws that gave the Bolts breathing room.
Magnolia still had a final chance after Bong Quinto missed one of his free throws with 8.9 seconds to play, but Lastimosa’s potential game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer fell short, sealing the win for the Bolts.
Aaron Black added 17 points and five rebounds, while Quinto contributed 11 markers, six boards, and three assists for Meralco.
(Video from the YouTube Channel of One Sports)
For Magnolia, Lastimosa led the charge with 22 points, two rebounds, and two assists, while Lucero chipped in 14 points, six rebounds, three blocks, and two steals in the Hotshots’ first loss of the conference, dropping them to 2–1.
With momentum on their side, the Bolts will look to extend their winning streak as they continue their strong mid-season push against Terrafirma Dyip on Saturday, October 25.
Meralco will then look to extend its winning ways against the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday, October 26.
The Scores:
Meralco 78 – Cansino 23, Black 17, Quinto 11, Bates 7, Hodge 7, Newsome 6, Banchero 3, Almazan 2, Pascual 2, Maliksi 0
Magnolia 76 – Lastimosa 22, Lucero 14, Barroca 11, Escoto 11, Gomez de Liano 5, Laput 4, Sangalang 4, Dela Rosa 3, Lee 2, Alfaro 0, Dionisio 0
Quarter Scores: 20-7, 32-25, 53-51, 78-76
