Meralco fought back from 23 down and frustrated Phoenix, 111-109, in its PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup opener, Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Akil Mitchell nailed the go-ahead one-hander with only a second left to play, before an air-balled jumper by Jason Perkins on the other end enabled the Bolts to complete the comeback after a lackadaisical showing in the first half.
That rust of sorts in the first 24 minutes proved so costly as it allowed the Fuel Masters to post a 73-54 lead but managed to wake up after the break, slowly chipping away the deficit in the third before going full throttle in the fourth.
And the next thing they know, Coach Luigi Trillo and Co. would be in the lead, 106-105, thanks to a Bong Quinto triple with 2:11 remaining in the game.
Meralco would stay in the driver’s seat the rest of the way, with Chris Newsome pushing their lead to three before Mitchell hit the most important shot of the night that negated Phoenix’s one last fightback attempt behind Tyler Tio.
