The Meralco Bolts defeated the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 91-80, in the final game of the Wednesday game date of the PBA Philippine Cup 2021 at the Ynares Center in Pasig.
Meralco raced off to a quick 11-2 start, but Phoenix eventually picked up the gap and reduced the lead to 17-16. The Bolts then ended the quarter with a 21-16 lead.
Chris Newsome gave 23 points to the Bolts. PBA media group
The game was marred by a 30-minute delay when heavy rain leaked the venue’s roof, making the floor slippery and unfit to play the 4:07 mark of the second quarter. It continued around 6:50 p.m., with Bolts 33-27.
PBA commissioner Willie Marcial actually came up with the idea of rolling the game back to 0-0 if it were canceled, as far as the veteran coach was concerned.
“We were seven points ahead, so I wasn’t so happy with that. But that’s the way the rules are, so we should have obeyed the rules. Fortunately, the rain subsided and we were able to continue the game.” “, Recalls head coach Norman Black.
Ranking of the Philippine Cup 2021
| team | W. | L. |
|---|---|---|
| magnolia | 3 | 0 |
| Rain or shine | 3 | 1 |
| San Miguel | 3 | 1 |
| Meralco | 3 | 1 |
| NLEX | 2 | 2 |
| Alaska | 2 | 2 |
| TNT | 1 | 0 |
| Geneva | 1 | 2 |
| North harbor | 1 | 2 |
| Phoenix | 1 | 3 |
| TerraFirma | 0 | 2 |
| Black water | 0 | 4th |
| From July 28th |
When the game resumed, Meralco regained his lost momentum by eight points in a row and took the lead 41:26 with three minutes to go in the first half. The Bolts led in the break 48-32.
Meralco was leading for the fourth time at 21, 84-63 and pulled back to claim his third win in four attempts. Phoenix, on the other hand, continued its lackluster start with 1-3.
Maliksi alone led the bolts with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Chris Newsome scored another 23 points, dealt seven groschen and stole the ball six times.
“Our mindset was defense. I think it’s very important to focus on defensive because we can’t let our offense dictate our game. I think that happened a bit in the last game so we want to out and show our defensive intensity throughout the game, “said Newsome.
Phoenix Guard Matthew Wright led all scorers with 29 points, but flipped the ball five times.
Chris Banchero made his Fuel Masters season debut after missing the first three competitions with a calf injury. He played a shadow for 27 minutes, recording one point, three assists and three ball losses.
THE POINTS
MERALCO (91) – Maliksi 24, Newsome 23, Pinto 11, Hugnatan 11, Belo 9, Almazan 3, Hodge 7, Black 3, Quinto 0, Jackson 0, Canete 0, Jamito 0.
PHOENIX (80) – Wright 29, Manuel 13, Jazul 12, Perkins 9,, Chua 4, Pascual, 4, Demusis 3, Garcia 3, Faundo 2, Banchero 1, Muyang 0, Melecio 0, Rios 0. Quarter results: 21- 16, 48-32, 73-57, 91-80.
ADDITIONAL DRIBBLE
– Meralco’s defense forced 21 ball losses which were converted into 28 points.
– The Bolts also ousted the Fuel Masters on the boards, 59-40.
NEXT GAMES
Meralco vs. Alaska on Saturday, July 31, 4:35 p.m., in Ynares Pasig
Phoenix Super LPG vs Blackwater on Saturday, July 31st, 2pm in Ynares Pasig
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