Trillo credits Meralco heroes in 3OT fightback vs. Phoenix

When Meralco was looking for heroes in their do-or-die quarterfinals tussle against the twice-to-beat Phoenix Super LPG, a number of players answered the call and the biggest of them all was Bong Quinto.

The former Colegio de San Juan standout caught fire in the third overtime, accounting for four points of the 10-0 run that the Bolts ignited to open the final extra frame.

Quinto then nailed the dagger three-pointer with 40 seconds left to give Meralco the 116-107 win after trailing by as much as 15 points before the Fuel Masters lost steam down the stretch.

The one-time NCAA champion said they just simply wanted it more.

"Hindi nashu-shoot ‘yung tira nila eh, I feel lang na binibigay talaga ni Lord sa amin basta pagtrabahuhan lang namin ‘yung panalo," Quinto said after pouring in 19 points alongside four assists and two rebounds.

(They were missing the shots. I feel that the Lord is giving this to us, as long as we are working hard for the win.)

Head coach Luigo Trillo, however, stressed it was a collective effort that led to their hard-fought win that allowed them to force a sudden death match on Sunday.

Aside from Quinto, also fueling the Meralco comeback were import Shonn Miller, who churned out a double-double outing of 18 points and 20 rebounds, while Cliff Hodge dropped 20 markers and 10 boards before going down with an injury early in the first overtime.

Allein Maliksi's role was also huge, sinking two crucial jumpers in the third overtime to power their resurgence.
"I just don’t know how we did that after these three overtimes. Si Bong nga 44 minutes, but there’s a lot of heroes in this game. We had six guys in double digits," Trillo said after the lengthy match that lasted for three hours and 12 minutes.

"Sa amin, whatever it takes. I think right now, we’ve been in this situation before and I think we have to keep that momentum going."

(I just don't know how we did that after these three overtimes. Even Bong played for 44 minutes, but there's a lot of heroes in this game. We had six guys in double digits. For us, whatever it takes. I think right now, we've been in this situation before and I think we have to keep that momentum going.)

Trillo, though, knows the job is far from done, saying that the Fuel Masters will surely bounce back.

"First of all, wala pa kaming ginagawa. It’s just one game so kahit anong ginawa namin no’n, Phoenix is a very resilient team and you can see na marami silang bata doon na marunong to play physical," he added.

The Fuel Masters won over the Bolts, 93-83, in the elimination round.

"Phoenix doesn’t have a quit in them. I have the highest respect for coach Jamike and what he’s done to that group."

(First of all, we haven't done anything yet. It's just one game so whatever we did before, Phoenix is a very resilient team and you can see that they have a lot of young players that know how to play physical. Phoenix doesn't have a quit in them. I have the highest respect for coach Jamike and what he's done to that group.)

—JKC, GMA Integrated News