MERALCO is back to its usual winning ways.

The Bolts held Magnolia Chicken Timplados to an all-time franchise low as they posted a convincing 74-51 win and bolstered their playoff hopes in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Four players, led by Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan, scored in double figures for the Luigi Trillo-mentored Bolts, who improved to 5-5 win-loss record.

Newsome finished with 12 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two blocks, while Almazan added a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds in the Bolts’ second straight victory.

Chris Banchero contributed 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field, while Brandon Bates chipped in 10 points and six rebounds.

“I think it was a bit of two things,” said Trillo, who cited his players’ defensive efforts and the absence of the injured Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva as major factors in the game.

“In the first half 21 points lang sila. I think we played good defense, defensively the guys were on point. Also they’re lacking two players. Not to take anything away from us, we played well defensively. But they didn’t have Jalalon and Abueva. Those two are big to them,” added Trillo.

“But with that being said, also we want to take credit that the players all around did their roles.”

No player scored in double digit for the Hotshots of coach Chito Victolero.

Ian Sangalang had eight points and 10 rebounds in 33 minutes of action while James Laput, Aris Dionisio and Paul Lee added six points each in Hotshots; losing effort.

Mark Barroca and Rome Dela Rosa chipped in five points each..

According to PBA chief statistician, Fidel Mangonon, this marks the all-time fewest points allowed in a game in Meralco franchise history.

It is also the first time the Bolts have held an opponent to fewer than 60 points.

Meralco’s victory also marked the first time in five conferences that all nine PBA teams have secured at least five wins in the eliminations.

The scores:

Meralco (74) — Newsome 12, Almazan 12, Banchero 11, Bates 10, Caram 9, Quinto 6, Maliksi 4, Black 3, Dario 3, Hodge 2, Pascual 2, Torres 0, Pasaol 0
Magnolia (51) — Sangalang 8, Laput 6, Dionisio 6, Lee 6, Dela Rosa 5, Barroca 5, Tratter 4, Balanza 4, Escoto 2, Corpuz 2, Eriobu 2, Mendoza 1, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 21-14, 35-21, 56-34, 74-51.

Games Wednesday:

(Philsports Arena)
4:30 p.m. — Blackwater vs San Miguel
7:30 p.m. — TNT vs. Converge