Phoenix Super LPG secured a coveted top four finish in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup after withstanding the late-game comeback attempt of Meralco, 93-83, Wednesday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
RJ Jazul struck the dagger through a wing triple with 1:16 left to play, before Jason Perkins settled the final count.
The Fuel Masters became the second team to clinch a win-once quarterfinal incentive after current top seed Magnolia.
“In the last 50-plus seconds we wanted the ball in RJ’s hands,” said Phoenix head coach Jamike Jarin. “RJ has been in a thousand situations like this already, so we wanted him to make the right decisions.”
Perkins led the way with 22 points, including 16 in the first half, and eight rebounds in the victory.
The crew provisionally gain solo second in the standings with an 8-2 record, breaking a tie with the Bolts (7-3).
Johnathan Williams finished with 19 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and a block. Tyler Tio made 15 points, while Jazul added 13 markers.
Phoenix will look to enter the playoffs on a winning note as it battles TNT in the eliminations’ final gamedate on January 14, 6:30 at the Philsports Arena.
Shonn Miller, on the other hand, had 19 points, nine rebounds, and five steals for Meralco in a showing that was far from his 33-22 debut against Magnolia – due to foul trouble.
He fouled out of the game with 42.5 seconds left to play,
It was an unceremonious exit for the American forward, who led the Bolts’ charge that saw them get to within 88-83 with 2:57 left to play.
Chris Banchero made 15 points. Chris Newsome had 13 points, five rebounds, and seven assists while Bong Quinto added 10 in the defeat.
Meralco’s loss has created a three-way logjam with San Miguel and Ginebra as they all tote identical 7-3 cards, making the top four picture far from settled.
The team would need either of the SMC teams to lose their final games – the Beermen will face Blackwater on January 12, while the Kings take on NLEX the next day – and then beat Terrafirma also on the 12th to get a top four spot.
The Scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 93 – Perkins 22, Williams 19, Tio 15, Jazul 13, Tuffin 6, Mocon 5, Rivero 5, Alejandro 4, Verano 2, Manganti 2, Camacho 0, Siyud 0, Garcia 0.
Meralco 83 – Miller 19, Banchero 15, Newsome 13, Quinto 10, Black 8, Almazan 8, Rios 5, Hodge 5, Pascual 0, Maliksi 0, Bates 0, Caram 0.
Quarterscores: 31-19, 54-47, 78-66, 93-83.
