PBA: Meralco escapes Phoenix in OT

Meralco subdued Phoenix, 103-100, in overtime in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts have tallied two straight wins to get to a 5-2 card to stay at the fourth spot while the Fuel Masters dropped to 3-4 after losing their second consecutive game.

Baser Amer shone in the clutch for the Bolts showcasing his abilities both in the fourth quarter and in the overtime period.

Amer drilled a three-pointer to give the Bolts a 90-87 lead with 25.4 seconds left in regulation.

And although Matthew Wright was able to send the game to extra period, with his three-pointer tying the game at 90-90 with five seconds left in regulation, Amer repeated his ingenuity in overtime hitting a floater with 1:23 left in the game for the Bolts’ 101-98 lead.

“Baser Amer probably made some of the biggest plays of the game in the offensive end and that really helped us get this win,” Bolts head coach Norman Black.

“It’s a very important win for us because we’re in the middle of the pack with Phoenix and this pushes us a little further up and away from the bottom as we try to get to the playoffs.”

Niño Canaleta scored a game-high 30 points for the Bolts while Amer had 19, nine in the fourth and overtime periods.

Meralco import Arinze Onuaku made up for his limited offensive output of 12 points by grabbing 20 rebounds and dishing out 10 assists.

Eugene Phelps led the Fuel Masters’ three-pronged attack with 31 points and 26 boards while Wright and Jason Perkins had 28 and 23 points, respectively.