Fuel Masters unplug Bolts for quarters bonus

The Fuel Masters led by 14 points in the fourth quarter, 86-72, with a 3-pointer by Tyler Tio at the halfway point of the final frame.

Meralco then turned the tide with an 11-2 blitz to cut the lead to just five, 83-88, with a dunk by Shonn Miller with less than three minutes remaining.

Johnathan Williams III answered with a step-through jumper, but it was waved off as a 24-second violation.

After Miller missed a jumper, RJ Jazul turned the ball over.

Chris Newsome then hoisted a trey, but it missed.

With 1:16 remaining in the game, Jazul made a booming 3-pointer that broke the back of Meralco and extended the lead to eight, 91-83.

Newsome and Allein Maliksi missed shots that would have cut the lead, but nothing panned out.

A layup by Jason Perkins set the final score.

Phoenix started the game firing on all cylinders, leading by as much as 15 points, 31-16, in the first quarter following a floater by Jazul.

Meralco clawed its way back and took a one-point lead, 55-54, in the third quarter.

However, Phoenix ended the quarter outscoring the Bolts 24 to 12 and took a 78-66 lead with a 3-pointer by Jazul.

Perkins led Phoenix with 22 points and eight rebounds.

Williams added 19 markers, while Tyler Tio and Jazul chipped in 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Miller led the charge for the Bolts with 19 points and nine boards. Chris Banchero followed suit with 15 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal.

Phoenix is now holding an 8-2 slate, good for solo second.

Meralco is in a logjam with the San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel with identical 7-3 records.

Phoenix will be facing the TNT Tropang Giga in its last elimination game on Sunday.

Meralco’s last elimination game will be against the Terrafirma Dyip on Friday. — Ralph Edwin Villanueva