Meralco couldn't finish Phoenix Fuel off in regulations on missed charities and needed to gut it out in overtime to eke out a 103-100 win in the PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
Baser Amer scored on a crucial tear-drop shot entering the final minute and Cliff Hodge nailed two free throws in the last 2.2 seconds to preserve Arinze Onuaku's triple-double game and KG Canaleta's 30-point explosion.
The combination of Jared Dillinger, Chris Newsome, Onuaku, Amer and Canaleta outlasted the Matthew Wright-led Phoenix side in OT as the Bolts closed in on the frontrunners with five wins against two losses.
Wright sent the game into extra period with a three-pointer with 4.1 ticks left in regulations but missed a potential game-winning step-back jumper in the dying seconds in OT.
The Fuel Masters, thus, dropped to joint seventh place with the GlobalPort Batang Pier at 3-4.
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Onuaku looked weary but still collected triple-double numbers with 20 rebounds, 12 points and 10 assists against six turnovers.
Canaleta drained six three-pointers and went 12-of-28 overall from the field on the way to a 30-point performance. Amer scored 19 points while Newsome chipped in 11.
Meralco coach Norman Black wasn't surprised going through a wringer versus Phoenix.
"I told the players before the game this is gonna be tough because Phoenix has been playing good basketball. They seems not to quit and are very competitive," said Black.
"We have a chance to win in regulations but, again, couldn't make the foul shots to put the game away. I told the guys it's my fault, it's their fault, it's everybody's fault, now what do we do? Everybody's in agreement to do everything to win the game," Black also said.
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The Bolts gutted out in the extra five minutes to score a follow-up on their 93-82 win over the Barangay Ginebra Kings the last time out.
"It's a very important win because we're in the middle of the standings with Phoenix," said Black.
The Fuel Masters dragged the Bolts to a battle on big games by Wright, Eugene Phelps and Jason Perkins.
Phelps came through with 31 points and 26 rebounds, Wright collected 28 markers including six three-pointers while Perkins delivered a career-high 23 points spiked by 3-of-5 three-point shooting.
Wright fired a trey with 4.1 ticks left then blocked Newsome's shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime at 90-all.
With Meralco leading by three at 90-87, Dillinger had a chance to seal the game but missed two fouls shots with 12.4 seconds to go.(SB)
The scores:
Meralco 103 - Canaleta 30, Amer 19, Onuaku 12, Newsome 11, Dillinger 8, Caram 7, Lanete 5, De Ocampo 5, Hugnatan 4, Hodge 2.
Phoenix 100 - Phelps 31, Wright 28, Perkins 23, Chan 9, Jazul 3, Revilla 3, Chua 2, Intal 1, Wilson 0.
Quarters: 20-18, 52-44, 68-72, 90-90, 103-100
