Meralco secures twice-to-beat bonus, puts Phoenix on cusp of elimination

A huge third quarter propelled the Meralco Bolts past Phoenix Super LPG, 109-90, as they secured the twice-to-beat playoff incentive in the 2021 PBA Governors Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum.

The teams went toe-to-toe in the first half but it was Meralco who had the slight edge, establishing a one-point cushion over Phoenix, 56-55, with import Tony Bishop leading the way.

Meralco started to pull away in the third, opening the frame with a quick 17-1 run fueled by Allein Maliksi's 10 points as the Bolts made it a 73-56 affair.

Bishop later fired back-to-back triples to help them build a 20-point advantage, 88-68, to end the canto.

Meralco tallied 32 points in the third quarter while holding Phoenix to only 13 to take control of the game.

A red-hot Maliksi continued waxing hot in the payoff period, dropping a triple for a 104-83 lead with barely two minutes left in the game.

Bishop was sensational in the win, hammering home a double-double of 35 points and 13 rebounds to go along with five assists and three steals as Bolts snapped their three-game losing skid for a 7-4 card.

Maliksi was also pivotal after he grabbed 27 markers and three boards while Cliff Hodge and Bong Quinto chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Fuel Masters are not yet out of the playoff picture despite the loss.

They will be needing a win from the TNT Tropang Giga later tonight against Northport and should the Batang Pier lose, they will go up against Phoenix in a playoff for eighth spot.

A win by NorthPort, however, will formally eliminate Phoenix.

The scores:

Meralco 109 - Bishop 35, Maliksi 27, Hodge 14, Quinto 11, Banchero 8, Newsome 7, Black 3, Almazan 2, Pasaol 2, Belo 0, Caram 0.

Phoenix Super LPG 90 - Maxwell 26, Jazul 16, Wright 13, Rios 11, Perkins 12, Manganti 5,  Garcia 4, Demusis 3, Melecio 0,  Salva 0, Porter 0.

Quarters: 37-28, 56-55, 88-68, 109-90.

—JMB, GMA News