Meralco whips Phoenix behind Durham, Amer

FILE – Baser Amer. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Meralco got things going early and kept its foot on the gas to beat Phoenix, 111-94, Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The Bolts’ starting unit all delivered double-digit scoring with Allen Durham firing 27 points and Baser Amer tallying 26 to spearhead the effort.

“My hat is off to our offense today,” coach Norman Black said as his charges improved to 3-1.

“I couldn’t have asked for more as far as our offense is concerned—the way the players moved and share the basketball,” he added, noting of the impeccable production that saw the lead balloon to as many as 27 points.

Chris Newsome left his prints all over the game, registering a triple-double of 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists.

Eugene Phelps led the way for Phoenix with 31 points, while RJ Jazul and RR Garcia tossed in 11 and 10 in the losing stand that gave the Fuel Masters a 1-4 record.

Meralco shoots to extend its win streak to three games against unbeaten TNT on Saturday again at the Big Dome.

Phoenix, meanwhile, hopes to stop the bleeding against skidding Rain or Shine this coming Wednesday at the same venue.