Meralco pulled away late and hacked out a 105-91 victory over NLEX to get back on the winning track in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, Jan. 10.

The Bolts rode on a strong 19-5 finishing kick to create the much-needed separation from what initially looked like a down to the wire affair to erase the bitter taste of their close loss to TNT just three days ago.

Akil Mitchell was all over the floor with 24 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and four steals while also taking the role as the primary defender to Best Import race leader Mike Watkins.

He also had plenty of support as five other Meralco players reached double figures in scoring led by Bong Quinto who fired 16 points and CJ Cansino who added 13 off the bench.

Chris Banchero and Aaron Black chipped in 11 apiece while Chris Newsome had 10 as Meralco came out of its grueling three-game schedule this week with a 2-1 standing to improve to a 5-3 record.

Up only by two, 88-86 midway through the final frame, the Bolts, anchored on Brandon Bates, tightened up their defensive screws and forced multiple turnovers on the Road Warriors, fueling the transition attack spearheaded by Banchero, Newsome and Quinto.

Watkins tried to will his team back into the game but the Bolts were just too poised to let the momentum slip away from their hands.

Watkins led the way for NLEx with 38 points and 21 rebounds while Robert Bolick added a double-double of his own with 19 points and 10 assists. The two, however, combined for 15 of the team’s 23 turnovers which led to 21 fastbreak points for Meralco.

The Road Warriors have now absorbed their fourth straight loss and continue with their free fall to the 10th spot of the standings after opening the conference on a 3-1 record.