Tuffin's clutch free throws lift Fuel Masters past Bolts for Group B lead

Kenneth Tuffin came through in crunch time, sinking two clutch free throws with 13.4 seconds left as Phoenix held off Meralco, 98-97, to remain unbeaten and move into the provisional top spot in Group B of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Tuffin's pressure-packed foul shots put the Fuel Masters ahead by a point before Phoenix's defense closed the door. Meralco had one last chance to steal the game, but CJ Cansino's contested layup with less than five seconds remaining rolled off the rim. Jason Perkins grabbed the rebound and hurled the ball downcourt as the buzzer sounded, sealing Phoenix's second straight victory.

The Fuel Masters looked in control early after racing to a 15-point advantage in the opening quarter. Meralco, however, clawed its way back and briefly grabbed a 97-94 lead with 1:19 to play after Brandon Bates split a pair of free throws.

Phoenix answered from the foul line, with BJ Johnson and Tuffin calmly converting crucial free throws while the defense forced key misses from Chris Newsome before Cansino's unsuccessful final drive secured the win.

"We just keep talking about being locked in and making some stops," said Phoenix head coach Charles Tiu after his team overcame a determined Meralco side that played without sidelined import Jordon Varnado, who missed the game due to a minor calf strain.

Johnson finished with 26 points and six rebounds to lead the Fuel Masters, while Ricci Rivero contributed 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Tuffin earned Player of the Game honors after posting 17 points and seven rebounds, while Perkins chipped in 13 points and six boards.

Cansino led the Bolts with 18 points, while Allein Maliksi scored 16, including 15 in the second quarter to spark Meralco's comeback from an early 37-22 deficit.

Bates registered a double-double of 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan added 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Despite trailing for most of the night, Meralco put itself in position to steal the win after Bates' late free throw nudged the Bolts ahead. Phoenix, however, stayed composed in the closing moments, capitalizing at the foul line before delivering the decisive defensive stop.

"This is a game where somehow we got lucky with Meralco not having an import, and we didn't want to let it slip away," Tiu said.

Phoenix improved to 2-0 and will try to extend its winning streak against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday. Meralco, meanwhile, dropped to 0-1 and is expected to unveil new import Antonio Hester when it faces Rain or Shine on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.