THE Meralco Bolts booked back-to-back wins in the Philippine Bassketball Association Governors’ Cup after defeating the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, 111-94, in league action on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Found its groove as a team early on, Meralco (3-1) just did not take its foot on the gas pedal to continuously build momentum and make its way to joining the early leaders of the season-ending PBA tournament with the win while adding to the woes of Phoenix Pulse (1-4).

The Bolts got off to a strong start led by Baser Amer and Bong Quinto.

They raced to a 20-9 lead in the opening seven minutes of the first quarter, holding sway until the end of the frame, 28-16.

In the second canto the two teams slugged it out at the start.

Meralco though still had control of the game midway, 42-27.

It kept Phoenix at bay for the rest of the period and held a 52-37 advantage at the half.

Import Eugene Phelps tried to rally the Fuel Masters at the start of the third canto only to be met by a Bolts crew determined to keep its hold on the game.

The two teams fought to a 66-48 count in favor of Meralco at the halfway juncture of the quarter.

It was something the Bolts used to build an 80-61 advantage after three quarters.

Had firm control of the contest as the fourth quarter unfurled, Meralco kept the storyline.

The Fuel Masters got early buckets to begin the payoff canto but they were not enough to chip significantly away at the Bolts’ lead with import Allen Durham throwing his weight around.

It was a huge 99-76 advantage for Meralco with 4:52 left in the game and it was all Bolts from there on.

Mr. Durham paced the Bolts with 27 points and 12 rebounds with Mr. Amer finishing with 26 points.

Mr. Quinto and Raymond Almazan had 14 each with Chris Newsome adding 13.

For Phoenix Pulse it was Mr. Phelps who led with 31 points and 24 rebounds. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR