MERALCO shrugged off Phoenix's sizzling first half to carve out a 111-109 thriller Friday in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Akil Mitchell converted a floater in the last 1.3 seconds that proved to be the game-winner, capping the Bolts' fightback from as much as a 23-point deficit and into their opening win in the mid-season tourney.
Phoenix had the chance to tie, but Jason Perkins badly missed a harried hook shot just before the final buzzer sounded, completing the Fuel Masters' collapse after racking up a season-high 73 points in the first 24 minutes of play.
Making Meralco's victory sweeter is the fact it was missing the services of several key players led by Allein Maliksi, Chris Banchero and Brandon Bates.
"We know we had some guys down. Give these guys credit," said coach Luigi Trillo, giving especially citing Aaron Black who finally saw action following a knee injury that sidelined him after only two games in the last Governors Cup.
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"Aaron was not supposed to be getting these many minutes... nice to see him back," said Trillo of Black, who finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists in just under 29 minutes of play.
"I just credit the guys for finding me today. I had some easy shots off of good passes from my teammates," said Black.
"Just happy to be back. It's been a long way to get here. I think it's been three or four months so I'm glad to be back on the basketball court and help my team win."
Mitchell tallied 27 points,13 rebounds and six steals in his league debut that was almost marred by seven turnovers.
Also playing major roles in the Bolts' charge from as much as a 48-71 deficit were Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto. Newsome wound up with 23 points and six assists while Quinto, despite a gimpy right knee, added 14 points.
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Quinto and Newsome had four points apiece during an 8-0 run that actually put Meralco on top, 109-105, before Tyler Tio and Donovan Smith tied the count at 109-all.
Following a timeout, Mitchell got the ball and faked off Kennth Tuffin before hitting the clutch one-handed teardrop.
Smith bucked foul trouble to finish with 33 points and nine rebounds with rookie Kai Ballungay notching a new career-best of 18 points. Tio had 17 points and Ricci Rivero 14, but the Fuel Masters miserably failed to bounce back from an 87-102 loss to Eastern last Wednesday.
For a while though, Phoenix seemed well on its way to scoring a breakthrough after taking a 73-54 halftime lead, only to lose its touch and get outscored, 36-57 in the second half. (NC)
The Scores :
MERALCO 111 - Mitchell 27, Newsome 23, Black 15, Quinto 14, Caram 10, Rios 8, Hodge 7, Jose 5, Almazan 2, Pasaol 0.
PHOENIX 109 - Smith 33, Ballungay 18, Tio 17, Rivero 14, Alejandro 6, Perkins 6, Jazul 6, Manganti 4, Tuffin 3, Verano 2, Ular 0.
QUARTERS : 25-36, 54-73, 78-91, 111-109
