Meralco came through in crucial stretches in the second half to out-steady Phoenix and earn a 101-95 victory—its third win in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Gani Lawal was splendid for the Bolts, turning in a 20-20 game with 28 points and 26 rebounds, while Baser Amer also had a fine night with 20 points with four rebounds and four assists.
Meralco improved to 3-2, while Phoenix fell to 1-2 in the process.
The Bolts hit key baskets in the payoff period to keep the threatening Fuel Masters at bay and eventually preserve their second win in their last three games.
Meralco led for most of the second half, but Phoenix came within a single point, 93-94, with 1:32 left after a floating jumper from RJ Jazul.
However, the Bolts kept their poise and answered with four straight points in the next few seconds to make it 98-93 with 55 seconds left.
Two freebies from Jazul once again gave Phoenix life, making it 95-98, still in favor of Meralco.
Lawal’s split from the stripes with 24 seconds remaining iced the game for Meralco, making it a two-possession game, 99-95.
Chris Newsome added 18 markers and Nico Salva 15 for the Bolts.
Meralco went on a 13-7 run to end the third canto to carry an 80-72 advantage into the fourth period.
The Fuel Masters played sans coach Louie Alas and Calvin Abueva, who both served suspensions.
Matthew Wright led Phoenix with 20 markers, while new import Richard Howell had an abysmal debut for the Fuel Masters, managing only eight points.
The scores:
Meralco 101—Lawal 28, Amer 20, Newsome 18, Salva 15, Quinto 8, De Ocampo 6, Almazan 3, Pinto 3, Hodge 0, Jackson 0, Caram 0, Hugnatan 0.
Phoenix 95—Wright 20, Perkins 16, Jazul 12, Marcelo 10, Howell 8, Mallari 7, Chua 6, Dennison 5, Intal 5, Kramer 4, Revilla 2, Wilson 0.
Quarters: 21-19, 46-47, 80-72, 101-95.
