PBA: Phoenix beats Meralco in heated preseason game

Phoenix’s Raul Soyud during a PBA preseason game against Meralco. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines-Phoenix downed Meralco, 100-93, in their PBA On Tour game that didn’t end without an altercation between Raul Soyud and Raymar Jose in the final seconds on Sunday at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

Elbows flew after Soyud got the defensive rebound with 8.9 seconds with the Fuel Masters ahead by four before cooler heads were quick to intervene.

Soyud and Jose eventually patched things up immediately after the final buzzer, even playfully reenacting the incident as they flash a wide smile at each other.

Other than the extra-curricular activities, Soyud had a strong game with 25 points and 13 rebounds as Phoenix won for the second game in a row in the two-month exhibition series.

RR Garcia had 15 points and five assists while Larry Muyang also posted a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Fuel Masters.

Anjo Caram scored 24 points, including 14 in the third but Meralco lost its second game of the series.

Jose produced nine points and nine rebounds in 19 minutes for the Bolts.

Norbert Torres came off the bench to score 11 points in his second game for Meralco in the On Tour since being acquired from Rain or Shine a few weeks ago.

Soyud put Phoenix up for good at 90-88 with over three minutes remaining, before the lead was sustained the rest of the way.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 100—Soyud 25, Garcia 15, Muyang 13, Manganti 12, Tio 10, Atienza 9, Alejandro 7, Lalata 6, Jazul 3, Camacho 0.

MERALCO 93—Caram 24, Hodge 12, Torres 11, Quinto 10, Jose 9, Pasaol 7, Rios 6, Pascual 4, Almazan 4, Johnson 3, Manday 3.

Quarters: 21-19, 51-43, 73-72, 100-93.

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