Ginebra, Meralco bounce back in style as PBA heavyweights secure first wins of Season 50

 Two of the PBA’s most battle-tested squads finally found their groove on Wednesday night, as Barangay Ginebra and Meralco shrugged off early-season stumbles with convincing bounce-back wins in the Season 50 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

For Ginebra, it wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Fresh off a major roster shake-up that sent Maverick Ahanmisi to another team, the Gin Kings quickly silenced doubts by dismantling TNT, 92-77, in a wire-to-wire domination that restored their usual swagger.

From the tip-off, Ginebra looked like a team on a mission, racing to a 40-16 advantage midway through the second quarter and never looking back. The 10-day gap between games seemed to do wonders for their chemistry.

“Last game against Magnolia, obviously we weren’t clicking at all in that game. Tonight, we were obviously clicking from all cylinders. I think the big difference was that break that we had,”

said coach Tim Cone, visibly pleased with his team’s bounce-back.

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Ginebra pounces on TNT for their 1st victory. #PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/qf6zn9H0a9

— PBA (@pbaconnect) October 15, 2025

Japeth Aguilar led the charge with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and a block, earning Player of the Game honors. He was backed by RJ Abarrientos (14 points) and Troy Rosario, who added a steady 13 points and 13 boards. The trio of Scottie Thompson, Stephen Holt, and Norbert Torres also contributed 10 points apiece in a balanced scoring night that saw six Gin Kings hit double figures.

TNT, meanwhile, never found the rhythm to match Ginebra’s tempo. Simon Enciso was the lone bright spot with 17 points, drilling five triples, while Kevin Ferrer chipped in 11 — the only other player in double digits for the Tropang 5G, who dropped to 0-2.

If Ginebra’s win was dominant, Meralco’s was redemptive. After a painful collapse against Rain or Shine last weekend, the Bolts refused to let another lead slip away, holding off Blackwater, 105-96, for their first victory of the season.

Chris Newsome, who struggled with his shot in Meralco’s first two outings, finally rediscovered his form. The veteran swingman erupted for 22 points on 67% shooting, steering the Bolts past a spirited Blackwater comeback attempt.

“We knew we had to close strong after what happened last game,” Newsome said, visibly relieved after helping his team avoid another heartbreak.

Cliff Hodge added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Allein Maliksi snapped out of his shooting slump to contribute 13 on a 4-of-8 clip.

Meralco’s composure was tested after leading by 24, as Sedrick Barefield exploded for 34 points in his season debut for Blackwater. But the Bolts held firm, even as RK Ilagan scored 22 in a valiant effort for the Bossing, who fell to 1-1.

With both Ginebra and Meralco now back on the winning track, the PBA’s early stretch has begun to take shape — a reminder that even in a league celebrating half a century, old rivals can still write new stories of resilience and redemption. 

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