MANILA – Meralco Bolts stayed alive in the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals after a 116-107 triple overtime win against Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters last night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The Bolts jumpstarted the third OT with a free throw from Kier John Quinto, a basket by Allein Maliksi, a triple by Quinto and back-to-back inside hits from Maliksi and Chris Newsome for a 113-103 lead.
The Fuel Masters attempted to make a run at 107-113 on conversions by RJ Jazul and Kenneth Tuffin, but a three-pointer by Quinto with 37 seconds left sealed the victory for the Bolts.
Clifford Hodge top-scored for the Bolts with 20 points, while Quinto and Maliksi added 19 and 18 markers, respectively, as they send their quarterfinals series to a do-or-die game.
Shonn Miller chipped in a double-double of 18 points and 20 rebounds, while Newsome concluded the game with 16 markers and seven rebounds for the Bolts.
Down by as much as 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Bolts slowly clawed their way back in the contest to force an overtime at 84-all via a three-pointer from Newsome.
Both teams traded leads in the first overtime with the Fuel Masters taking a 95-93 lead on a three-pointer by Christian Tyler Tio, but the Bolts send the match into another extension with a layup from Aaron Black.
In the second overtime, the Fuel Masters once again took the lead in the final minute at 103-101 via a Tuffin basket, but Quinto responded with a conversion for the Bolts to force the third extension.
Johnathan Williams III finished with a double-double of 24 points and 24 rebounds, Tio and Jason Perkins added 20 markers apiece, while Tuffin and RJ Jazul had 16 and 13, respectively, for Phoenix.
The Fuel Masters needed only one win to reach the Final Four due to their twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals round for finishing the elimination round in top four./PN
BOX SCORE:
MERALCO 116 – Hodge 20, Quinto 19, Miller 18, Black 18, Maliksi 16, Newsome 14, Banchero 5, Almazan 2, Pascual 0, Rios 0, Caram 0.
PHOENIX 107 – Williams 24, Perkins 20, Tio 20, Tuffin 16, Jazul 13, Alejandro 6, Mocon 6, Manganti 2, Muyang 0, Soyud 0, Garcia 0, Rivero 0.
QUARTERS: 13-21, 39-47, 53-62, 84-84, 95-95, 103-103, 116-107.
