PBA: Clutch Tuffin free throws lift Phoenix over Meralco

July 16 ------ Phoenix is off to a 2-0 start in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup after a hard-earned 98-97 win over the Meralco Bolts at the Araneta Coliseum.

Kenneth Tuffin nailed two clutch free throws in the final 13 seconds to finally give the Fuel Masters the lead, and their defense forced CJ Cansino into a miss in Meralco's final possession. Tuffin finished with 17 points while Robert Johnson III had 26 points and six rebounds. Ricci Rivero added 20 points, six boards, and five dimes for the Fuel Masters. It was a tough win for Phoenix, which struggled against a Meralco side that played without an import.

The Bolts had seized a 97-94 lead with a little over a minute left Brandon Bates' split at the line, and looked as though they would hang on for the win after Tuffin and Johnson also split their charities in their ensuing trips. But a missed shot by Chris Newsome forced him to foul Tuffin, who finally knocked down both freebies to put Phoenix ahead for good. Cansino had 18 points and Allein Maliksi added 16 for the Bolts, who also got a 14-point, 15-rebound double-double from Bates. Meralco shot only 38.5% from the field, however, and were unable to make Phoenix pay for their 25-of-35 clip at the line.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com