Meralco Bolts’ coach Luigi Trillo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—There was nothing easy about how Meralco escaped Phoenix to force a do-or-die game for a spot within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.
Coach Luigi Trillo acknowledged the an enormous a part of the Bolts’ struggle got here by the hands of the Fuel Masters’ “three musketeers,” which consisted of Ken Tuffin, Javee Mocon and Jason Perkins.
“Those ‘three amigos’ there, we call them the ‘three musketeers,’ Tuffin, Mocon and Perk… We got to match their intensity, toughness and play as tough as them,” said Trillo with Inquirer Sports after their 116-107 victory over Phoenix in triple additional time at Philsports Arena on Wednesday.
“Now we have to search out ways to match them. We just won one game, that doesn’t really do anything. We’ve got to search out a option to win that next one.”
Perkins (20), Ken Tuffin (16) and Javee Mocon (6) combined for 42 points and 13 rebounds within the Fuel Masters’ defeat.
Meralco’s head tactician also Jamike Jarin’s number of starting five that also included import Johnathan Williams III and guard Tyler Tio.
Jamike Jarin and the Phoenix Fuel Masters’ bench. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Tio showed his mettle with 20 points built on 4 made triples while Williams showed why he’s within the race for the conference’s best import award with 24 points with as many rebounds to his name.
“I feel their first five is hard. You have a look at Tyler Tio, he’s solid in what he does, I feel Perkins, Mocon and Tuffin are, too. That five is solid, they know how you can play and I feel that’s their strength, that core. They’ve a brilliant future, I feel Tio really stepped up, he’s playing very mature for his age,” said Trillo.
And after winning a troublesome battle against the Fuel Masters that gave them one other lease on life, Trillo and the Bolts prepare to do all of it yet again once they settle their business on Sunday within the decider.
WATCH: Meralco’s Bong Quinto and coach Luigi Trillo after the win over Phoenix. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/KvksIpmH2M
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 17, 2024
“It’s only one game. Whatever we did, Phoenix is just a really resilient team. You may see that their kids know how you can be physical. I just don’t understand how we did that in three overtimes.”
“[I give] a number of respect for Phoenix. With them, it’s at all times going to be a battle and you’ll be able to’t rest. Phoenix doesn’t have quit in them. I even have the best respect for coach Jamike and what he’s done to that group. That is what you would like.”
