THERE will be a do-or-die game in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals series between Phoenix Super LPG and Meralco Bolts.

The Bolts made sure about it.

Bong Quinto provided the heroics as the Bolts outlasted the Fuel Masters, 116-107, in triple at the PhilSports Arena last Wednesday.

Quinto scored 14 of his 19 points in the extra periods, including seven in the third overtime, to keep Meralco’s hopes alive.

The deciding game is scheduled on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“It’s just one game. Hindi pa tapos ang laban,” said Meralco coach Luigo Trillo after only the 14th triple overtime game in PBA history with the last coming in the knockout match won by NorthPort over NLEX in the 2019 Governors Cup.

Cliff Hodge led Meralco with 20 points and 10 rebounds before exiting the game due to a right ankle sprain in the last 2:25 of the first overtime.

Import Shonn Miller contributed 18 points and 20 rebounds before fouling out late in the game, while Allein Maliksi and Aaron Black recorded 18 points each.

Chris Newsome also had a notable performance with 16 points, including a clutch triple he sank to beat the buzzer in regulation and send the match into the first overtime.

Johnathan Williams carried the fight for Phoenix with 24 points, 24 rebounds, and six assists despire playing atotal of 62 minutes and 22 seconds out of the 63-minute game.

With it, Williamsbecame only the fourth import to have logged more than 60 minutes of action in a single game.

Despite experiencing cramps late in regulation, Jason Perkins added 20 points, matching the output of Tyler Tio.

The scores:

Meralco (116) – Hodge 20, Quinto 19, Miller 18, Black 18, Maliksi 16, Newsome 14, Banchero 5, Almazan 2, Pascual 0, Rios 0, Caram 0.
Phoenix (107) – Williams 24, Perkins 20, Tio 20, Tuffin 16, Jazul 13, Alejandro 6, Mocon 6, Manganti 2, Muyang 0, Soyud 0, Garcia 0, Rivero 0.
Quarterscores: 13-21, 39-47, 53-62, 84-84, 95-95, 103-103, 116-107

Games Friday:

(Philsports Arena)
4 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs. San Miguel
8 p.m. — NorthPort vs. Ginebra

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya