Bolts buckle down late to beat Phoenix

Meralco's Cliff Hodge and Phoenix's JC Intal scramble for the ball at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, February 14, 2018. The Bolts edged out the Fuel Masters 92-90. PHOTO BY KC CRUZ

The Meralco Bolts narrowly defeated the Phoenix Fuelmasters on Wednesday, relying on a 22-15 blast in the final 12 minutes for a 92-90 victory at the Araneta Coliseum.

Garvo Lanete led the Bolts with 24 points in 33 minutes as a starter, while Cliff Hodge provided ample support, hitting 17 points in less than 22 minutes on the floor.

Chris Newsome, Anjo Caram, KG Canaleta, and Mike Tolomia also added nine points each.

The Bolts were ahead 54-40 heading into the halftime break, but Phoenix fought back with a 35-16 swing in the third to take a 75-50 edge heading into the payoff period.

Meralco regained its composure in the fourth, though, enough to take gain the advantage anew.

A Garvo Lanete jumper stretched Meralco’s lead to as many as seven points with 1:34 to go, but a persistent Phoenix squad gamely chipped away at the lead.

Misses from Laneta and Nico Salva from beyond the arc led to back to back trips to the line for Jason Perkins and Jeff Chan, trimming the lead to just three with 53 seconds left in the game, 92-89.

After calling for time, Meralco went to Salva anew for a triple, but the former Ateneo standout still could not connect.

At the other end, Jaypee Mendoza earned a trip to the line after an offensive board and a failed putback, enough for a split and a two-point game with 21 ticks remaining, 92-90.

Things got interesting as Chris Newsome committed a costly turnover, giving Phoenix a chance to tie or win the game.

The Fuelmasters opted to go for the win via a Jeff Chan try from deep, but the veteran failed to find the mark, allowing Meralco to escape with the victory.

Willie Wilson  paced Phoenix with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Matthew Wright added 16 and eight. RJ Jazul and Jason Perkins tallied 13 and 10 points, respectively. — BAP, GMA News