The Meralco Bolts break out with a big third period to drub the Phoenix Fuel Masters 90-74 and extend the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
After a tight first half, the Bolts outscored the Fuel Masters 33-20 in the third quarter. Meralco forces a second game against No. 2 seed Phoenix on Friday.
"Tonight it's all about our defense. In the first half we struggled on offense because Phoenix is a very good defensive team," Meralco coach Norman Black said. "We just made a few adjustments and tried to take away their help defense and it worked for us."
Allen Durham led the Bolts with 26 points, 16 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and a steal for the Bolts, who led by as many as 16 points. Durham had 10 in the third period, where the Bolts turned the back-and-forth game into a breakaway.
Chris Newsome chipped in 16 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Baser Amer had 14 points, four rebounds, six dimes, and two steals.
"We still have to go out and win one more game. We will try to come out a better team on Friday," Black said.
Eugene Phelps led Phoenix with 27 points and 17 rebounds. Calvin Abueva added 18 points and 12 boards to go with four blocks and two assists.
THE SCORES
Meralco 90 - Durham 26, Newsome 16, Amer 14, Tolomia 9, Canaleta 9, Hugnatan 7, Salva 5, Dillinger 2, Faundo 2, Hodge 0, Ballesteros 0, Caram 0, Jamito 0.
Phoenix 74 - Phelps 27, Abueva 18, Perkins 9, Wright 8, Chua 6, Intal 4, Jazul 2, Revilla 0, Kramer 0, Wilson 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 15-17, 33-35, 66-55, 90-74.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
-- Meralco is on a roll, winning its fifth straight game since the elimination round.
-- Jared Dillinger played for the first time since sustaining a quad injury.