PBA: Phoenix earns last semis berth, pulls plug on Meralco bid

Phoenix import Jonathan Williams during a knockout game against Meralco in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Taking notes from their meltdown three nights ago, Phoenix Super LPG pulled all the necessary stops on Sunday night to survive Meralco, 88-84, and secure the last ticket to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

Import Johnathan Williams III and Jason Perkins starred for the Fuel Masters at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, arranging a Final Four clash with top-seeded Magnolia.

“The fairy tale continues,” said head coach Jamike Jarin, who helped steer the franchise to its second semifinal appearance since the 2020 Philippine Cup at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

“They are the favorites even at the start of the conference, so we’ll have our hands full,” the seasoned mentor said, referring to the Hotshots, whom they battle in a best-of-five showdown beginning this Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Phoenix forward Jason Perkins.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Williams had 21 points and 16 rebounds, while Perkins chipped in 19 and 13. RJ Jazul delivered 13 off the bench to help Phoenix–with team owner Dennis Uy in attendance–make up for the triple-overtime loss to the Bolts last Wednesday that forced the club to reach for its twice-to-beat protection.

Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, and Allein Maliksi delivered 15 points each, import Shonn Miller 12, while Bong Quinto 11 for Meralco, whose stellar conference has come to an end.

The Bolts, like the Fuel Masters, finished the eliminations with an 8-3 record, but dropped to 5th place and missed out on a playoff bonus due to the tournament’s quotient system.

Phoenix scored only 11 points in the payoff frame, but an early cushion built on rebounds and second-chance points had the Fuel Masters surviving the enemy’s spirited tries at a comeback.

The Scores:

PHOENIX 88 – Williams 21, Perkins 19, Jazul 13, Tuffin 10, Mocon 9, Tio 6, Alejandro 4, Rivero 4, Garcia 2, Muyang 0, Manganti 0, Lalata 0, Daves 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0.

MERALCO 84 – Newsome 15, Hodge 15, Maliksi 15, Miller 12, Quinto 11, Black 7, Banchero 7, Almazan 2, Rios 0, Pascual 0.

Quarterscores: 30-22, 55-43, 77-62, 88-84.