PBA: Phoenix solves Meralco puzzle, seals semis clash vs. Magnolia

Phoenix Super LPG made sure not to commit the same mistake twice, spoiling a second half rally from Meralco, 88-84, to take the last semifinals berth in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

The Fuel Masters, who wasted a 15-point lead back in Game 1 en route to a 116-107 triple overtime loss, have sealed their best-of-five semifinals affair with top seed Magnolia. 

The Bolts mounted some fightback in the third with Chris Newsome fueling a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to six, 54-60, after trailing by 17 prior to that.

The Fuel Masters, however, retaliated with a wild 17-8 closing run led by the hot hands of RJ Jazul to head to the fourth enjoying a 77-62 cushion.

Even though they are down big, the Bolts refused to surrender. 

Newsome, whose clutch baskets allowed Meralco to pull off a miraculous comeback in Game 1, again rose to the occasion by sinking a huge three-pointer followed by a three-point play from Cliff Hodge, 73-77. 

Phoenix, though, showed poise down the stretch after import Johnathan Williams and big man Jason Perkins brought them back up by eight points, 85-77. 

Allein Maliksi then sank two freebies before issuing a dime to a cutting Hodge to slice their disadvantage to four anew with 35 seconds left to go, 81-85. 

Williams split his charities, but Perkins made both to put the finishing blow. 

The Phoenix import left everything on the court, pouring in a double-double effort of 21 points and 16 rebounds on top of two assists while Perkins also weaved a double-double outing of 19 markers and 13 boards. 

Jazul finished with 13 points off the bench built on three triples while Kenneth Tuffin chipped in 10. 

Meralco turned to the troika of Newsome, Maliksi, and Hodge, all of whom tallied 15 points as import Shonn Miller was held to just 12 points but grabbed 12 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and one block. 

Scores:

Phoenix 88 – Williams 21, Perkins 19, Jazul 13, Tuffin 10, Mocon 9, Tio 6, Alejandro 4, Rivero 4, Garcia 2, Muyang 0, Manganti 0, Lalata 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.

Meralco 84 – Newsome 15, Hodge 15, Maliksi 15, Miller 12, Quinto 11, Black 7, Banchero 7, Almazan 2, Rios 0, Pascual 0.

Quarters: 30-22, 55-43, 77-62, 88-84.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News