Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Meralco disarms Phoenix to send series to do-or-die


The Meralco Bolts have moved one step away from overcoming Phoenix’s twice-to-beat advantage in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, as they defeated the Fuel Masters, 90-74, Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The Bolts took control of the match in the third quarter by pulling off an overwhelming 17-2 scoring spree – ended by an Allen Durham bucket – to turn a 43-all deadlock to a commanding 60-45 lead with 4:37 on the clock.

Allen Durham led the Orangemen with 26 points and 16 rebounds.

“Like what I always say, tonight’s about our defense,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black, as his wards were able to limit Phoenix to their lowest output this conference – the Fuel Masters averaged 106.1 points in the eliminations.

Moreover, this has been Meralco’s best defensive performance, as they had previously only limited their opponents to 94.0 points and no more than 88 in their last three games, as per the league’s stats chief Fidel Mangonon.

Allen Durham led the Orangemen with 26 points – 18 in the second half – and 16 rebounds. Chris Newsome provided 16 points, three caroms, and three assists, while Baser Amer produced 14 markers and a team-high six assists.

Import Eugene Phelps led the Fuel Masters with 27 points and 17 rebounds. Calvin Abueva was his only support with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

The Fuel Masters have equaled their lowest output in a game under head coach Louie Alas, which they recorded in a 74-72 win over the TNT KaTropa last February 7, in the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

#ReadMore  Returning Almazan provides big lift to Meralco in Game Five

The Bolts will have a chance to finish off the Fuel Masters on Friday, November 9, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. The winner of this series will face the winner between long-time rivals San Miguel Beermen and the Alaska Aces.


The Scores:

Meralco 90 – Durham 26, Newsome 16, Amer 14, Tolomia 9, Canaleta 9, Hugnatan 7, Salva 5, Dillinger 2, Faundo 2, Hodge 0, Ballesteros 0, Caram 0, Jamito 0.

Phoenix 74 – Phelps 27, Abueva 18, Perkins 9, Wright 8, Chua 6, Intal 4, Jazul 2, Revilla 0, Kramer 0, Wilson 0, Mendoza 0.

Quarterscores: 15-17, 33-35, 66-55, 90-74.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

San Miguel and Meralco will take center stage when the Philippine Basketball Association celebrates its 50th founding anniversary on April 9. Commissioner Willie Marcial...

Basketball

Kieffer Alas took it personally. After hearing that Ateneo head coach Ford Arao had a “game plan” to stop him, the De La Salle...

Basketball

Meralco’s hopes of advancing to the East Asia Super League (EASL) Final Four were shattered on Wednesday evening, as the Bolts suffered a heartbreaking...

Basketball

Chris Newsome won’t just leave his brothers behind as Meralco shoots for the remaining ticket to the 2024-25 East Asia Super League (EASL) Final...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – Ginebra proved steadier down the stretch and outlasted Meralco, 94-87, to complete the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinal picture much to...

Basketball

Ginebra leaned on its usual suspects in the endgame to beat Meralco once again, 100-92, and move a step closer to the PBA Season...

Basketball

Magnolia took no chances and dominated an all-Filipino Meralco, 129-92, to remain in the hunt for a ticket to the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s...

Basketball

Ginebra withstood Meralco’s late rally and came away with the 91-87 decision in a battle between teams gearing up for the PBA Season 49...

Advertisement