Bishop, Meralco pull away past Phoenix to earn twice-to-beat advantage

Bishop, Meralco pull away past Phoenix to earn twice-to-beat advantage

Bishop, Meralco pull away past Phoenix to earn twice-to-beat advantage
PBA

Bishop, Meralco pull away past Phoenix to earn twice-to-beat advantage

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MERALCO lifted most of the haze from the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals picture by beating Phoenix Super LPG 109-90 Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tony Bishop and Allein Maliksi mostly led the Bolts' offense that fully gained momentum in the third quarter before easily quashing any threat the Fuel Masters mustered the rest of the way enroute to cutting short a three-game slide and notching a seventh win in 11 games.

In the end, Meralco joined Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok and NLEX in the top four with the other slot and other official quarterfinal rankings to be decided following the nightcap between TNT and NorthPort.

Definitely, the Bolts are lodged at No. 4 and would be toting a twice-to-win advantage when they face the fifth-ranked team, most probably recent tormentor San Miguel Beer, in the next round.

"This win is really important because we lost our last three games. And, of course, when you're losing your confidence takes a hit. So, we really tried to rebuild our confidence going to this game today, knowing that we would have a twice-to-beat advantage if we won," said coach Norman Black.

MERALCO lifted most of the haze from the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals picture by beating Phoenix Super LPG 109-90 Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Tony Bishop and Allein Maliksi mostly led the Bolts' offense that fully gained momentum in the third quarter before easily quashing any threat the Fuel Masters mustered the rest of the way enroute to cutting short a three-game slide and notching a seventh win in 11 games.

In the end, Meralco joined Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok and NLEX in the top four with the other slot and other official quarterfinal rankings to be decided following the nightcap between TNT and NorthPort.

Definitely, the Bolts are lodged at No. 4 and would be toting a twice-to-win advantage when they face the fifth-ranked team, most probably recent tormentor San Miguel Beer, in the next round.

"This win is really important because we lost our last three games. And, of course, when you're losing your confidence takes a hit. So, we really tried to rebuild our confidence going to this game today, knowing that we would have a twice-to-beat advantage if we won," said coach Norman Black.

The Fuel Masters stirred back into life by whittling the deficit to 80-92, but freebies by Raymond Almazan and Bishop's three-point play sparked a 13-3 surge that stretched the difference back to 105-83 and practically sealed the game with still 1:41 left.

DuVaughnn Maxwell had 26 points and 12 rebounds, RJ Jazul added 16 points and Matthew Wright 14 markers and 10 assists for Phoenix. (NC)

The Scores:

Meralco 109 - Bishop 35, Maliksi 27, Hodge 14, Quinto 11, Banchero 8, Newsome 7, Black 3, Almazan 2, Pasaol 2, Belo 0, Canete 0, Caram 0.

Phoenix 90 - Maxwell 26, Jazul 16, Wright 13, Perkins 12, Rios 11, Manganti 5, Garcia 4, Demusis 3, Melecio 0, Salva 0, Porter 0.

Quarters: 37-28, 56-55, 88-68, 109-90.(PBA)

(Photo credits to: PBA)