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[av_heading heading=’Meralco books Comm’s Cup quarters spot’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Friday, May 5, 2017
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MANILA – The Meralco Bolts hardly showed any rust from half a month of break as it scored an 81-66 win over the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the 2017 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Baser Amer continued his fine play as he finished with team-high 20 points for the Bolts to formally clinch a quarterfinals slot after tallying its seventh victory in eight matches.
Chris Newsome added 19 markers, while reinforcement Alex Stepheson had double-double 15 points and 20 rebounds for the Bolts, which has recovered fully after failing to get past the quarterfinals in the Philippine Cup.
“Defensively, we were pretty sharp against the Phoenix,” said Bolts head coach Norman Black. “Offensively, we have a little bit of work to do, but I’m happy with our defense in this game.”
Trailing at the end of the first quarter Wednesday night, the Bolts made its move in the second frame as it snatched a 25-23 lead on a Stepheson basket. It later grew to 34-29 at the half on five straight points by Amer.
After extending the lead to 38-29 early in the third on a basket by Bacolodnon Justin Chua, Bolts’ deficit was cut down to 48-44 before pulling away anew to 53-46 on three straight baskets by rookie Jonathan Grey.
The Bolts then pulled away for good in the fourth quarter with Grey, Amer and Newsome continuing their offensive outburst to build its largest lead of the match at 80-62 on a jumper by Ilonggo Anjo Caram.
Import Jameel McKay finished with double-double 16 points and 16 rebounds, while Cyrus Baguio added 10 points for the Fuel Masters, which struggled with the absence of Gilas Pilipinas call-up Matthew Wright.
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SCORES
MERALCO 81 – Amer 20, Newsome 19, Stepheson 15, Grey 8, Hodge 7, Caram 4, Hugnatan 3, NAbong 2, Chua 2, Daquioag 1, Dillinger 0, Faundo 0
PHOENIX 66 – McKay 16, Baguio 10, Jazul 7, Borboran 6, Torres 6, Dehesa 5, W. Wilson 5, Alolino 4, Kramer 3, Intal 2, J. Wilson 2, Miranda 0, Lanete 0
QUARTERS – 13-16, 34-29, 53-46, 81-66
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