The Meralco Bolts sustained their rampage in the 41st PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 90-87 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters yesterday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Jared Dillinger hit a three-pointer that gave the Bolts an 89-86 lead with 45 seconds left.
Meralco pulled off crucial defensive stops in the dying moments to seal its fourth straight win in as many games.
After winning just one game in the Philippine Cup, the Bolts now find themselves sitting on top of the standings, being the only unbeaten team left in the 12-team field.
Import Arinze Onuaku led the Bolts with 17 points, 18 rebounds, four blocked shots and two assists in a stellar 42 minutes of action.
After Dillinger’s go-ahead triple, Onuaku came up with a critical defensive stop as he blocked Josh Urbiztondo’s potential game-tying triple.
Meralco rookie Chris Newsome added 16 markers, while veteran shooter Gary David chipped in 13 markers.
Dillinger wound up with 10 points, seven coming in the pivotal fourth period.
RR Garcia paced the Fuel Masters with 15 points.
THE SCORES
MERALCO ( 90)- Onuaku 17, Newsome 16, David 13, Dillinger 10, Amer 8, Hodge 8, Bono 4, Hugnatan 4, Nabong 4, Al-Hussaini 2, Caram 2, Faundo 2.
PHOENIX ( 87)- Garcia 15, Adeleke 13, Baracael 13, Brondial 12, Wilson 10, Urbiztondo 9, Lanete 8, Monfort 5, Intal 2, Pennisi 0.
QUARTERSCORES: 19-23; 40-47; 67-67; 90-87.
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