Fuel Masters nip Bolts to boost quarters bid

MANILA, Philippines -- Phoenix ran away in the final quarter to storm past Meralco, 105-101, in their PBA Governors’ Cup matchup Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. 

The Fuel Masters thus strengthened their grip on a quarterfinal berth, with two elimination round games remaining. 

Ricci Rivero carried the offensive load for Phoenix with 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. Marcellus Earlington added 20 markers, 14 boards and five dimes in his PBA debut. 

The game was close through the fourth quarter, with neither team gaining significant advantage following a Jordan Varnado slam that pulled Meralco to within one, 91-92, with 5:15 remaining. 

But Rivero, Kai Ballungay, Earlington and Gian Mamuyac teamed up and unleashed nine straight points to break the game open, 101-91, with 2:38 left. 

Varnado tried to rally Meralco back into it, but Earlington answered right back with a deuce of his own to keep Phoenix at arm’s length, 103-93, with 1:33 to go. 

The Bolts had multiple chances to nip the lead away, but attempts by Varnado, Jason Brickman, Bong Quinto and CJ Cansino from beyond the arc could not connect. 

Varnado and Quinto, then, hit 4-pointers that sandwiched an Earlington layup, but the deficit was too big to come back from. 

Ballungay and Ken Tuffin provided plenty of help for Phoenix, finishing with 17 and 16 points, respectively. Mamuyac and Tyler Tio added 13 and 10 markers. 

Varnado paced Meralco with 36 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and a steal. Cansino added 18 points off the bench, while Quinto and Brickman supplied 14 and 10, respectively. 

Phoenix rose to the second spot of Group B with a 5-3 win-loss record, just behind the Magnolia Hotshots. Meralco finished with a 4-6 slate after the elimination round.