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Meralco racked up its fourth straight victory after escaping Phoenix, 90-87, in the 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Arinze Onuaku led the Bolts’ charge with a double-double of 17 points and 18 rebounds on top of four blocks, while Chris Newsome added 16 points.
“I’m really proud of my team tonight,” said Meralco head coach Norman Black. “We’re able to win a game on a night when we couldn’t shoot straight. We were missing our outside shots, missed our foul shots in the end, but still, our defense held up enough that we were able to win the basketball game.”
Gary David had 13 points and Jared Dillinger chimed in 10, including a go-ahead triple, 89-86, with 45.4 seconds left.
“It’s been a very big turnaround for us from last conference,” said Black. “I give credit to the players, I’m proud of them because they worked hard in the offseason. We just want to keep on winning games.”
The Bolts atoned for their three muffed free throws with a couple of defensive stops in the final 10 seconds.
Onuaku blocked Josh Urbiztondo’s last-second triple to preserve Meralco’s fourth win in as many games.
RR Garcia paced the Fuel Masters with 15 points and five assists, while Kenny Adeleke and Mac Baracael both wound up with 13 points apiece.
The scores:
MERALCO 90 – Onuaku 17, Newsome 16, David 13, Dillinger 10, Amer 8, Hodge 8, Bonk 4, Hugnatan 4, Nabong 4, Al-Hussaini 2, Caram 2, Faundo 2.
PHOENIX 87 – Garcia 15, Adeleke 13, Baracael 13, Brondial 12, Wilson 10, Urbiztondo 9, Lanete 8, Monfort 5, Intal 2, Pennisi 0.
Quarters: 19-23, 40-47, 67-67, 90-87.