Meralco repulsed a hard-fighting Phoenix side, 82-76, to pump some life to its playoff hopes in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, April 26.

Chris Banchero nailed a dagger jumper with 22.8 seconds left before Bong Quinto put on the finishing touches from the foul line to push the Bolts inside the playoff picture heading into the final stretch of the eliminations.

Meralco picked up a much-needed win after a loss to Converge that suddenly put its quarterfinals chances hanging in the balance the last time out. 

The Bolts got everything on track with the victory as they improved to a 4-5 record, enough to get into the eighth spot with two games left in their schedule. 

The Fuel Masters, on the other hand, after a confidence-boosting win over the NLEX Road Warriors last week, have now absorbed two straight defeats that seemingly dimmed their chances of advancing to the next round after skidding to 3-7 record at the 11th spot.

Phoenix now hopes that no one from Meralco and NorthPort pick up a victory to get a chance of at least a playoff for the last and final spot.

Aaron Black led the charge for Meralco with 18 points – eight of which he poured during a 15-2 run that turned a 44-38 deficit into a 46-53 advantage in the third frame. 

While Phoenix managed to recover and tied the game once more, the run sparked a once struggling offense for Meralco as it erected a 10-point cushion in the fourth quarter – a lead that proved to be enough to overcome the late fight back from the Fuel Masters.

Banchero, who drilled the elbow jumper over the outstretched arms of RR Garcia to keep a two-possession lead, 79-74, contributed 14 points while Chris Newsome added 15. Allein Maliksi after struggling in the last two games, broke out of slump and chipped in 13 points.

Rookie Ken Tuffin was the lone bright spot with 14 points for Phoenix, which was obviously feeling the tired legs after also playing against TNT two days ago.