The Fuel Masters complete the Commissioner's Cup semifinals.
Phoenix Fuel Masters made sure there was no meltdown this time and disposed of the Meralco Bolts, 88-84, Sunday to advance to the semifinals of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup.
Much like their first encounter, the Fuel Masters kicked into high gear in the second period, then sputtered later. But unlike their 3OT classic, Phoenix held strong to punch its first semifinal stint, a first since. the 2020 Clark Bubble and a first in a conference with imports.
"We're a young team so we're allowed to make mistakes. One is enough, two is too much, three cannot be," said coach Jamike Jarin, whose team blew a 15-point advantage in their first quarterfinal encounter earlier this week.
Johnathan Williams led the way for Phoenix with 21 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists, a winning performance after his 62-minute outing last game went for naught. Jason Perkins wound up with a double-double outing of 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Fuel Masters.
As great as Phoenix's response though, the Bolts didn’t just roll over and die.
Meralco erased a 17-point deficit this time and came to within four, 81-85, with under a minute to go.
Williams, who botched two crucial free throws in the triple overtime loss, muffed another pair with 16.3 ticks remaining. Fortunately for Phoenix, Chris Newsome failed to convert from the three-point line in the ensuing play, and Jason Perkins sealed the win with two freebies.
Newsome, Cliff Hodge, and Allein Maliksi paced Meralco with 15 points apiece.