Phoenix clinches PBA quarterfinal place with comeback against Meralco
Ricci Rivero delivered 26 points in the 105-101 victory, which lifted Phoenix to 5-3 in the Governors’ Cup.
A 13-point deficit did not stop Phoenix from claiming a PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal place on October 16, 2026. The Fuel Masters defeated Meralco 105-101 in Antipolo at the Ynares Center.
Ricci Rivero led Phoenix’s scoring with 26 points, alongside seven assists and nine rebounds. He also recorded two blocks and three steals. Cellus Earlington supplied 20 points plus five assists and 14 rebounds, while Meralco’s Jordon Varnado scored 36 points.
Meralco established a 35-22 advantage early in the second period and reached half-time ahead 52-42. Phoenix was still behind 76-70 late in the third, but a basket by Gian Mamuyac and free throws by Ken Tuffin reduced the margin to 76-74.
An early fourth-quarter equaliser made it 78 apiece. Later, Rivero set off a 9-0 Phoenix burst from a 92-91 advantage, opening a wider gap with 2:38 remaining. Varnado broke the run before Earlington helped rebuild a double-digit cushion.
Four-pointers by Varnado and Bong Quinto could not rescue Meralco, with Earlington adding another basket. Phoenix’s record rose to 5-3, while the Bolts completed their conference schedule at 4-6. Meralco’s quarterfinal prospects depend on results elsewhere.
