MANILA, Philippines — New import Marcellus Earlington overcome a foul-plagued PBA debut, delivering 14 of his 20 points in the final period to lift Phoenix Super LPG to a pulse-pounding 105-101 comeback win against Meralco to boost its Season 50 Governors’ Cup playoffs bid on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The 26-year-old Earlington, taking the spot of BJ Johnson, who left the team during the conference break, made all six of his attempts from the field in the final period, along with seven rebounds to make up for a poor 3-of-12 shooting during the first three quarters.
The Fuel Masters trailed by 13 points in the first half, stymied visibly by the Bolts’ defense.
But big men Ken Tuffin and Kai Ballingay along with Ricci Rivero stepped up on offense at a time Earlington was struggling, before the American came alive when the game was on the line in the final quarter.
Phoenix moved up to solo second spot at 5-3, half a game behind Group B leader Magnolia’s 6-3 slate.
Rain or Shine is at solo third with its 4-3 record, while Meralco fell to 4-6.
The Bolts’ loss gave Barangay Ginebra and Blackwater, both toting 3-5 cards, a new lease on playoff life.
Rivero led Phoenix with 26 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, Ballungay 17, while Tuffin had a double-double of 16 and 10.
Jordon Varnado led Meralco with 36 points, but went just 11-of-30 from the floor.
CJ Cansino and Bong Quinto added 18 and 14 for the Bolts.
Meanwhile, Converge registered a 162-108 demolition of Macau in the first game.
Cameron Clark dumped 32 points in just three quarters of play and while Juan Gomez de Liano became the first rookie ever to notch back-to-back triple-doubles after scoring 13 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and 12 assists as the FiberXers won for the fourth straight time to improve to 7-4 in Group A.
TNT and Converge clash this Sunday with the winner expected to get a better playoff seeding.
Macau closed its forgettable PBA stint with a 2-10 record.
