Phoenix Super LPG lets it rain from deep, thrashes Meralco on PhilCup debut

The long-distance bombs are on target for Phoenix Super LPG as it had a field day to open the PBA Philippine Cup with a 116-98 beatdown of Meralco Monday evening at the AUF Arena in Pampanga.

With both teams playing their first assignments in the bubble, it was the Fuel Masters who had the hotter hands as it took down the Bolts for their opening win sans Calvin Abueva, who is still not cleared by the Commissioner's office despite being in the lineup by coach Topex Robinson.

A 17-0 back breaker in between the second and the third periods turned a close contest into a one-way traffic for last season's Philippine Cup semifinalists, in which they lead by as much as 29 towards the end of the penultimate frame on Dave Marcelo's triple.

Gilas sniper Matthew Wright lead all scorers with 36 points on a 47% clip from the field, with  the frontcourt pair of Jason Perkins and Justin Chua each had 17.

Despite being battered from the inside and its Phoenix flexed its shooting hands from behind the arc as it shot an efficient 43% (17/39) as a unit, with RR Garcia hit all four of his three-point attempts en route to a 14-point performance off the bench.

Meralco captain Reynel Hugnatan led the Bolts by scoring 16 of their team's 58 bench points, but Raymond Almazan's absence was felt badly for their season-opening setback.

The scores:

Phoenix 116 -- Wright 36, Perkins 17, Chua 17, Garcia 14, Intal 7, Napoles 6, Jazul 5, Rios 4, Marcelo 4, Heruela 3, Reyes 3, Gamboa 0

Meralco 98 -- Hugnatan 16, Newsome 12, Quinto 11, Maliksi 11, Salva 10, Hodge 9, Jose 8, Amer 7, Black 6, Pinto 4, Faundo 2, Caram 2, Jackson 0

Quarter scores: 25-21, 53-41, 92-63, 116-98

PHOTO: PBA