Jason Perkins, Johnathan Williams, and Tyler Tio carried the bulk of the load in the win.
The Phoenix Fuel Masters didn’t look like they were coming off a long break in repulsing the Meralco Bolts, 93-83, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
Jason Perkins made a rousing comeback, turning in a 22-point performance as the Fuel Masters rise to an 8-2 win-loss record, snatching one of the twice-to-beat incentives heading into the quarterfinals. He missed the last two games due to an illness.
Perkins had plenty of help, with import Johnathan Williams putting up double-double performance with 21 points and 15 rebounds. He also had five assists.
Tyler Tio also added 15 points for the Fuel Masters, who last played in a 117-96 loss to San Miguel Beermen on Christmas Day.
But while the three went on a scoring spree, it was RJ Jazul who steadied the ship and made the triple that shut the door on the Bolts with 1:16 remaining, 91-83.
Perkins put the finishing touches to the much-needed victory with a layup and Phoenix dealt the Bolts their third loss in 10 outings.
Meralco didn’t just roll down and die, though.
Down by as many as 15 points in the opening quarter, the Bolts found their spark in the middle quarters and even led 55-54 early in the third period.
The Fuel Masters regained their bearings and took a 78-66 buffer entering the fourth period. Meralco chipped away at that lead with Shonn Miller scoring on a breakaway slam to close in, 88-83. But Jazul would respond with that booming triple to ensure the win for the Fuel Masters.
Miller, who was coming off a 33-point outing against the Magnolia Hotshots, had 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field. He also had nine rebounds and five steals.