Phoenix stays perfect, edges Meralco in heated game
Published May 28, 2023 02:58 pm
Phoenix showed composure in the endgame and edged Meralco, 100-93, in a heated duel in the PBA on Tour on Sunday, May 28.
Raoul Soyud emerged as an unlikely hero for the Fuel Masters, stepping up with a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds in an efficient 11-of-12 shooting from the field including the huge putback that broke an 88-all deadlock and triggered the back-breaking 12-5 finishing kick for Phoenix. Soyud’s splendid night, however, was dampened by a heated altercation with Meralco’s Raymar Jose, resulting in the former being forced to sit out the waning moments of the game after a flagrant foul penalty one infraction with 8.9 seconds left. Good thing, though, the game was already beyond reach as Soyud also got timely help from the likes of Sean Manganti, RR Garcia and Larry Muyang to fend off any attempt of a comeback from the Bolts inside the final three minutes of the game. Muyang also finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds while Garcia and Manganti added 15 and 12 for Phoenix which rested Jason Perkins, Javee Mocon, Ben Adamos, and Kurt Lojera. Simon Camacho played but couldn’t finish the game due to an injury. Anjo Caram carried the scoring cudgels for Meralco which also managed to keep in step with Phoenix despite the absence of Allein Maliksi, Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, and Chris Banchero. He finished with 24 points to lead his crew while Cliff Hodge and Bong Quinto added 12 and 10, respectively.
*Raoul Soyud steps up for Phoenix. (PBA Images)
*Raoul Soyud emerged as an unlikely hero for the Fuel Masters, stepping up with a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds in an efficient 11-of-12 shooting from the field including the huge putback that broke an 88-all deadlock and triggered the back-breaking 12-5 finishing kick for Phoenix. Soyud’s splendid night, however, was dampened by a heated altercation with Meralco’s Raymar Jose, resulting in the former being forced to sit out the waning moments of the game after a flagrant foul penalty one infraction with 8.9 seconds left. Good thing, though, the game was already beyond reach as Soyud also got timely help from the likes of Sean Manganti, RR Garcia and Larry Muyang to fend off any attempt of a comeback from the Bolts inside the final three minutes of the game. Muyang also finished with a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds while Garcia and Manganti added 15 and 12 for Phoenix which rested Jason Perkins, Javee Mocon, Ben Adamos, and Kurt Lojera. Simon Camacho played but couldn’t finish the game due to an injury. Anjo Caram carried the scoring cudgels for Meralco which also managed to keep in step with Phoenix despite the absence of Allein Maliksi, Chris Newsome, Aaron Black, and Chris Banchero. He finished with 24 points to lead his crew while Cliff Hodge and Bong Quinto added 12 and 10, respectively.