Phoenix Super LPG emerged victorious in a heated preseason clash against Meralco, defeating them by a score of 100-93 in a thrilling encounter at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City Sunday, May 28.
However, in the final seconds, the game didn’t conclude without an altercation between Raul Soyud of Phoenix and Raymar Jose of Meralco.
With barely 8.9 seconds left on the clock and Phoenix leading by four, Soyud secured a crucial defensive rebound. Elbows were thrown between Soyud and Jose in the ensuing chaos, igniting a brief scuffle. Fortunately, cooler heads intervened swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating.
Following the final buzzer, Soyud and Jose quickly made amends, sharing a broad smile as they playfully reenacted the incident. Both players promptly buried the hatchet and exchanged friendly banter during the post-game handshake.
Despite the altercation, Soyud showcased an exceptional performance throughout the game, contributing 25 points and 13 rebounds. His efforts played a significant role in securing the victory for Phoenix, their second consecutive win in the preseason series.
RR Garcia also had an impressive outing, recording 15 points and five assists for the Fuel Masters. Larry Muyang contributed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds, further strengthening Phoenix’s position.
On the opposing side, Anjo Caram displayed an outstanding performance, scoring 24 points, including 14 in the third quarter. Still, it wasn’t enough to prevent Meralco from suffering their second defeat in the preseason series.
Raymar Jose provided nine points and nine rebounds in his 19 minutes on the court for the Bolts, while Norbert Torres, who recently joined Meralco from Rain or Shine, contributed 11 points off the bench.
Soyud’s pivotal basket put Phoenix ahead for good at 90-88 with over three minutes remaining in the game. From there, the Fuel Masters maintained their lead until the final buzzer, securing their hard-fought victory.
In his best performance since joining Phoenix last January, Soyud’s stellar outing powered the undermanned Fuel Masters to their second consecutive win in the PBA On Tour. Shooting an impressive 11-of-12 from the field, Soyud’s 25 points and 13 rebounds led the team to victory.
“Tonight, we only had nine players, so coach (Jamike Jarin) told us to support each other no matter what happens during the game,” Soyud stated after the match.
RR Garcia, Sean Manganti, Larry Muyang, and Tyler Tio also significantly contributed to the Fuel Masters’ triumph, combining for 50 points. Daniel Atienza, Jayjay Alejandro, Chris Lalata, and RJ Jazul also contributed valuably to securing the win.
The victory against Meralco showcased Phoenix’s determination and resilience, proving they can compete at a high level, even with a limited roster. With back-to-back wins in the preseason series, Phoenix looks poised to continue its impressive run in the PBA On Tour.
The boxscores:
PHOENIX 100 – Soyud 25, Garcia 15, Muyang 13, Manganti 12, Tio 10, Atienza 9, Alejandro 7, Lalata 6, Jazul 3, Camacho 0.
MERALCO 93 – Caram 24, Hodge 12, Torres 11, Quinto 10, Jose 9, Pasaol 7, Rios 6, Pascual 4, Almazan 4, Manday 3, Johnson 3