After losing their last two games via blowout, Phoenix Fuel Masters have finally made it back to the win column after edging a fiery Meralco Bolts side, 94-90, in the 2017 OPPO PBA Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the FilOil Flying V Center in San Juan.
“I’m just relieved,” said an emotional Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia. “We lost the last two games with an average of 31 points.”
Phoenix made the huge victory possible even without the presence of JC Intal (bruised rib) and Willie Wilson (medicinal complication).
Rookie Matthew Wright starred for the Fuel Masters with a career-high of 22 markers, 17 coming in the final frame. He went 7-for-11 from the floor and also grabbed eight boards.
Mark Borboran had 17 markers, with 14 of them from the first half. Cyrus Baguio had 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Gelo Alolino also had 11.
The Fuel Masters opened the final period with 11 straight points behind Lanete, Alolino, and Wright to wipe out a huge ten-point lead and get ahead, 76-75, with 8:58 to go. Both squads then traded baskets, sending the match to an 84-all knot approaching the two-minute mark.
The game’s final two minutes saw a shootout from beyond the arc, with the Bolts receiving huge treys from Reynel Hugnatan and Jonathan Grey to gain the upper hand, 90-88, with 1:25 left on the clock.
That proved to be the Bolts’ last run, however, as Cyrus Baguio nailed a pull-up triple in the 1:12 mark to send Phoenix up, 91-90. The Bolts had enough chances, but 3 of 4 charities from Wright sealed the win for the Fuel Masters.
“We could’ve been 0-5 for the last five games we played, but we’re 2-3. So we’re thankful,’ added Vanguardia with tonight’s win, which sends them to 3-3.
The Bolts were led by Grey’s 24 markers on 7 for 12 shooting from the field including three triples and 7 of 7 from the stripe. His output serves as his career-high.
The Fuel Masters shot better from the field, nailing 36 out of 77 attempts. They also outrebounded the Bolts, 50-45, but lost the battle in assists, 25-23.
Both team’s next assignments will be next Wednesday, December 28, at the Cuneta Astrodome. Phoenix (3-3) will face Globalport first at 4:30 PM, followed by a heavy clash between Meralco (2-3) and San Miguel at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
Phoenix (94) – Wright 22, Borboran 17, Baguio 11, Alolino 11, Enciso 7, J.Wilson 7, Torres 6, Caperal 5, Hayes 4, Lanete 4, Javillonar 0, Miranda 0.
Meralco (90) – Grey 24, Hugatan 15, Hodge 12, Daquioag 11, Yeo 9, Amer 7, Nabong 4, Newsome 2, Al-Hussaini 2, Caram 2, Chua 2, Uyloan 0.
Quarterscores: 22-19, 45-44, 75-65, 94-90.
