Meralco displayed strength of character amid repeated uprising by NorthPort to pull off a tough 107-102 victory in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors' Cup at the Philsports Arena on Thursday night.

Chris Newsome and Cliff Hodge, two key players sidelined by injuries in the previous conference that caused the Bolts' early elimination, presided over their squad.

Newsome finished with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals. He scored four of his team's last five points as the Bolts got steadier down the stretch and notched their second straight win in the season-ending tournament.

The Bolts now vaulted into a share of the early lead with Converge in the team standings with the same 2-0 record.

Hodge, the do-it-all forward, went a rebound short from posting a double-double performance as he ended up with 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Scores:

MERALCO 107 – McDaniels 32, Newsome 16, Quinto 15, Hodge 15, Maliksi 14, Almazan 8, Jose 4, Black 3, Banchero 0, Johnson 0, Pasaol 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0.

NORTHPORT 102 –  Weathers 29, Sumang 23, Tolentino 17, Chan 10, Munzon 6, Calma 5, Taha 4, Zamar 3, Balagasay 3, Ayaay 2, Salado 0, Caperal 0, Dela Cruz 0,

QUARTERS: 26-22, 49-43, 77-67, 107-102