KJ McDaniels. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Meralco stayed in the hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage after wrapping up the eliminations with a 92-86 win over Phoenix on Sunday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Bolts separated themselves from the Fuel Masters in the second half led by import KJ McDaniels plus timely shots from Aaron Black and Chris Banchero to come away with a 7-4 record going into the quarterfinals.
Coach Norman Black’s team won four of its final five games to remain in contention for a quarterfinal incentive given to the top four teams, this despite missing Allein Maliksi due to a one-game suspension for an altercation with Converge’s Barkley Ebona.
“This was really an interesting game because he gave us everything we can handle,” said Black, referring to the strategies employed by his Phoenix counterpart Jamike Jarin.
“At first, we had a very difficult time recognizing what they were doing, but we just ran one or two things which worked for us in the third and fourth quarter.”
Now Meralco has to wait for the results of the other games involving San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, NLEX, Magnolia and Converge, all still eyeing the twice-to-beat bonus as of posting time.
Phoenix concluded the elims at 4-7, missing a chance to clinch the last quarters berth.
The Fuel Masters can still qualify if the NorthPort Batang Pier fall to the league-leading TNT Tropang Giga on March 15.
A NorthPort win, however, will force a playoff for the No. 8 spot in the next phase of the season-ending conference.
McDaniels had 19 points, 16 rebounds, four steals and five blocks, bucking a slow start and a tight first half in the contest that had 11 ties and 11 lead changes.’
Black had 18 points, including a three-pointer that put Meralco up 90-75 with less than five minutes to go. Banchero added 13 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Import Du’Vaughn Maxwell posted 29 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals and three blocks as he tried to put Phoenix back late in the contest, but to no avail. Rookie Encho Serrano added 20 points and nine rebounds.
The Scores:
MERALCO 92 — McDaniels 19, Black 18, Banchero 13, Hodge 12, Quinto 9, Newsome 8, Almazan 7, Caram 3, Pasaol 3, Jose 0.
PHOENIX 86 — Maxwell 29, Serrano 20, Perkins 13, Tio 7, Jazul 6, Camacho 3, Muyang 2, Manganti 2, Mocon2, Garcia 2, Lalata 0, Alejandro 0.
Quarters: 23-22, 47-49, 73-68, 92-86