PBA: Meralco downs Phoenix to improve to 2-0 in Commissioner’s Cup

Meralco defeated Phoenix, 93-86, on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to secure its second straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Phoenix held a slim 49-47 lead at halftime, but Meralco took control in the second half, highlighted by a decisive fourth-quarter surge. The Bolts unleashed an 8-0 run, capped by a Bong Quinto four-pointer, to extend their lead to 89-78 with less than five minutes remaining. From there, Meralco held off the Fuel Masters to seal the victory.

Chris Banchero led the Bolts with 17 points, while Jason Brickman added 16 markers. Import Marvin Jones contributed a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

For Phoenix, James Dickey III delivered a dominant performance with 28 points and 21 rebounds, while Ricci Rivero chipped in 22 points as the Fuel Masters fell to a 2-1 record.

Scores:

Meralco 93 – Banchero 17, Brickman 16, Jones 15, Newsome 11, Cansino 10, Quinto 8, Black 6, Mocon 4, Magbuhos 2, Almazan 2, Hodge 2, Bates 0.

Phoenix 86 – Dickey 28, Rivero 22, Tuffin 11, Santos 9, Nelle 6, Perkins 4, Escandor 3, Caperal 2, Cullar 1, Delos Santos 0, Ando 0, Daves 0.

Quarters: 18-23, 47-49, 73-71, 93-86.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News