PHOENIX Super LPG pulled its act together in the clutch to hold off Meralco, 93-83, Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and formally clinch a coveted top four slot in the PBA Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals.
None among the Fuel Masters veterans stood out the most than skipper RJ Jazul, who calmly boomed in a clutch triple that restored order on his team after the Bolts, who trailed by as many as 14 points early in the fourth period, charged back to threaten at 83-88.
"In the last 50-plus seconds we wanted the ball on RJ's hands," related Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin. "RJ has been in a thousand situations like this already, so we wanted him to make the right decisions."
Indeed, that shot proved to be like a dagger that did Meralco in as it failed to score in its final thrusts, putting to waste a torrid 11-2 run that brought it back from a 72-86 deficit.
The win jacked Phoenix's record to a second-running 8-2 and a sure top four finish in the eliminations. It could even secure the position and a win-once advantage over the seventh seed in the next round if it prevails over TNT at eliminations end on Sunday.
Sponsored content:
Jarin said he'll cross that playoffs bridge when his team gets there. "Nothing beyond TNT," he said.
The loss dropped Meralco to a 7-3 slate and a tie with idle San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra for third to fifth spots.
The Bolts are now left hoping they win over the Terrafirma Dyip on Friday and either or both the Beermen and/or Kings lose to make it among the teams which will be rewarded with a twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.
Otherwise, Meralco would be relegated to fifth and at a disadvantage over the No. 4 squad.
Jason Perkins led the way for Phoenix with 22 points and eight rebounds while Johnathan Williams added 19 and 15 along with five dimes.
Sponsored content:
Tyler Tio wound up with 15 points while the 37-year-old Jazul scattered 13, 11 of those in the second half.
Hobbled by foul trouble for most of the second half, Shonn Miller still tallied 19 points and nine boards for Meralco before fouling out in the last 41 seconds.
Chris Banchero, Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto had at least 10 points each for the Bolts, who trailed by as much as 16-31 early but gamely fought back to briefly seize the lead at 55-54 and forge a 57-all standoff in the third quarter. (NC)
The Scores:
PHOENIX 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.
QUARTERS: 31-19, 54-47, 78-66, 93-83
