Wright outguns fellow rookie Grey as Phoenix edges Meralco

MANILA, Philippines — Matthew Wright outlasted Jonathan Grey in a fiery, exciting shootout between two promising rookies, and Phoenix Petroleum completed a stirring fightback from a 12-point deficit as it downed Meralco, 94-90, to move back to the Top Eight in the PBA Philippine Cup at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan Wednesday night.

Minus their injury-hit top guns JC Intal and Willy Wilson, Wright gallantly took charge for the Fuel Masters, stepping up hardest in the payoff period and subsequently enabling the team to snap a two-game losing skein and hit the .500 mark anew at 3-3.

Wright, Phoenix Petroleum's Gilas pick, sizzled with 22 points, eight rebounds, three steals and two assists in the well-fought match drawing a crowd that included former NBA player and coach Byron Scott, who's in the country for vacation.

Grey, a rookie from St. Benilde, also dished out a spectacular performance, playing like a grizzled warrior but ran out of firepower in the crunch, allowing the Fuel Masters to steal the game in the end.

Missing all of their last four field-goal attempts in the last 1:23 of play, the Bolts, losing finalists in the last Governors Cup, went down reeling with a third loss in five starts in the all-Filipino tourney.

"I'm just relieved as we lost the last two games by an average losing margin of 31 points," said Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia. "It caused us sleepless nights. At 2-3, I told the guys we're not out. Going to
this game, let's start like at 0-0."
Mark Borboran carried the load for the team early on, firing all of his 17 points in the first three quarters before Wright, fellow rookie Gelo Alolino and Chico Lanete teamed up in a crucial run at the start of the fourth that surged Phoenix ahead at 76-75.

Then Wright just didn't stop hustling and firing from thereon.

The Fil-foreign gunner/slasher scored 14 of their next 18 points, including three charities at endgame that sealed their win, getting the team back on the winning track after blowout losses to the Star Hotshots and the TNT KaTropa Texters.

The Fuel Masters defied the odds minus their top gun Intal who was sidelined by a bruised rib.
Cyrus Baguio put in a big help with a charity then a three-pointer that helped keep the Fuel Masters from breaking down in a tight duel at the finish.

Atoning for an offensive foul in an earlier play, Baguio drained a trey that pushed Phoenix ahead to stay at 91-90 with time down to 1:12.

Behind Cliff Hodge, Ed Daquiaog and Reynel Hugnatan, the Bolts built a 12-point lead in the third before sitting on a 75-65 cushion going into the final quarter.

After losing the 10-point lead, Grey carried the fight for the Bolts, paving the way for a fiery shootout between two rookies in the fourth quarter.

Grey led all scorers with 24 points that went with four rebounds and two assists in 23:39 minutes of action.

The scores:

PHOENIX 94 - Wright 22, Borboran 17, Baguio 11, Alolino 11, Enciso 7, J.Wilson 7, Torres 6, Caperal 5, Hayes 4, Lanete 4, Javillonar 0, Miranda 0.

MERALCO 90 - Grey 24, Hugatan 15, Hodge 12, Daquioag 11, Yeo 9, Amer 7, Nabong 4, Newsome 2, Al-Hussaini 2, Caram 2, Chua 2, Uyloan 0.

Quarterscores: 22-19, 45-44, 65-75, 94-90