Aaron Black of the Meralco Bolts at the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines – With its window to make the playoffs increasingly dangerous, Meralco on Friday night assured itself a good chance of advancing with an 82-76 victory over Phoenix in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Aaron Black starred with 18 points, Chris Newsome added 15, while Chris Banchero and Allein Maliksi at least 13 each as the Bolts moved up the standings, clinching 8th place with two more games remaining on the knockout round schedule.
“That Phoenix team didn’t give up. At the moment we are both down in the standings, so every game is important. We know both teams have their backs against the wall, but something needs to happen,” said coach Luigi Trillo, whose charges improved to a 4-5 win-loss record.
READ: Luigi Trillo leaves aside Meralco's position in PBA standings
“Our hope is to remain (in the hunt) for the playoffs. If we had lost, we wouldn't have achieved more. Fortunately, we have this chance and we have to make the most of it in the future,” Black added.
Whatever chance Meralco had, the advance was hampered by a last-minute injury to Newsome, the club's cornerstone.
“New felt something,” Trillo said referring to Newsome’s collision with Phoenix’s Javee Mocon. “We have to check this first. Obviously, he limped off (the ground). Hopefully it's nothing serious. Until then, (we will wait for) something conclusive from the MRI.”
Newsome's absence will certainly hurt Meralco, as their final two games will be against Magnolia and defending champion San Miguel.
Phoenix received the lead from rookie Kenneth Tuffin, who finished with 14 points and helped the Fuel Masters to within two points, 79-76, with a jumper with 20 ticks remaining.
But with Kent Salado the only other play to record double-digit production, the Oil club – which is without young stars Tyler Tio and Sean Manganti – fell to 3-7, and its chances of advancing to the next round suffered a huge blow.
PBA SCORE
MERALCO 82 – Preto 18, Newsome 15, Banchero 14, Maliksi 13, Hodge 6, Caram 6, Bates 4, Almazan 3, Quinto 3, Pasaol 0, Torres 0, Pascual 0
PHOENIX 76 – Tuffin 14, Salado 12, Jazul 9, Rivero 9, Mocon 7, Garcia 6, Perkins 5, Muyang 4, Verano 4, Alejandro 3, Soyud 3, Daves 0, Camacho 0
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ROOMS: 24-21, 34-38, 60-53, 82-76.
