By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters wasted a lead as high as 26 points before pulling off a 106-101 victory over San Miguel Beermen in the 2023 PBA on Tour at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday night, May 24.

Ahead 53-27 midway in the second quarter after a basket by Negrense Raul Soyud, the Fuel Masters were stunned by a furious second half run by the Beermen, who took a 101-98 lead after a basket by Ilonggo Jericho Cruz and free throws by Moala Tautuaa.

A free throw by Chris Lalata and a triple by Tyler Tio regained the lead back to the Fuel Masters at 102-101 before they sealed the win with a basket from Soyud and two free throws by Daniel Atienza.

Simon Camacho led the way with 15 points, Tio chipped in 14 markers with four outside conversions, while Larry Muyang and Ryan Roose Garcia had 11 points each for the Fuel Masters.

Soyud contributed double-double 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Sean Manganti, Rodolfo Alejandro, Jr. and Kurt Lojera also hit double-digits with 10 points each for Phoenix.

Terrence Romeo top-scored for the Beermen with 27 points, including three triples, Robbie Herndon had double-double 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Tautuaa chipped in 16 points.

In the first game, Meralco nearly wasted an early double-digit advantage before holding off NorthPort Batang Pier, 97-89, and giving Luigi Trillo a winning debut as Bolts head coach.

Leading by as much as 20 points in the opening half, the Bolts were stunned by a huge second half rally by the Batang Pier capped by a triple from Jeffrei Chan and a layup from Kent Salado to cut the deficit to 88-94.

However, the Bolts responded with a free throw courtesy of a NorthPort technical foul and a two-pointer from Kier John Quinto to widen the lead to 97-88 with 50 seconds left in the contest.

Allein Maliksi led the way with 21 points, including four three-point conversions, Quinto added 14 markers, Clifford Hodge and Anjo Caram ended with 11 points each, while Norbert Torres had 10 points for the Bolts.

PHOENIX 106 — Camacho 15, Tio 14, Muyang 11, Garcia 11, Manganti 10, Lojera 10, Alejandro 10, Soyud 10, Lalata 7, Jazul 6, Atienza 2.

SAN MIGUEL 101 — Romeo 27, Herndon 21, Tautuaa 16, Brondial 12, Cruz 12, Baclao 6, Bulanadi 4, Lee 3, Faundo 0, Saldua 0.

Quarterscores: 37-17, 61-44, 89-78, 106-101./ASC, WDJ