A few harsh words at halftime woke up the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. Phoenix erased a 10-point deficit to beat the Meralco Bolts, 105-101, Friday, October 16, and clinch a PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup playoff berth.

Led by Ricci Rivero’s near triple-double and a rejuvenated Marcellus Earlington, the young Fuel Masters turned the game around in the second half. It was Phoenix’s second win over Meralco in the elimination round.

Phoenix Rallies Past Meralco Behind Rivero, Earlington

Phoenix coach Charles Tiu said the team was challenged at the break after a sluggish first half. “There were not so pleasant words said, and the team responded,” Tiu said.

Tiu said the message was simple: the Fuel Masters were not playing like themselves. “We challenged the team that this is not the team that we know. It’s basically about not being soft,” he said.

Tiu pointed to the team’s lack of urgency as the problem. “We’re acting as if we would not get eliminated if we don’t get the win. That’s the challenge,” he said.

The Fuel Masters trailed by 10 in the first half. They outscored Meralco, 32-24, in the third quarter to get back in the fight and held on in the fourth to complete the comeback at the Ynares Center Antipolo.

Ricci Rivero led the charge with 26 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. His near triple-double effort anchored the comeback as Phoenix’s young core powered the second-half rally.

Import Marcellus Earlington, who replaced BJ Johnson, managed only six points in the first half. He found his rhythm after a halftime talk and finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, helping spark Phoenix’s rally.

Rivero said he reached out to Earlington at the break. “I actually talked to him before the second half. I told him we’ll keep looking for you and help you to get going. We can’t do this on our own. Alam rin naman namin meron syang ilalabas,” he said.

Tiu praised the import’s second-half turnaround, which backed Rivero’s belief that Earlington had more to give. “He took some time, but eventually he got going and helped us big time,” Tiu said.

It was a total team effort for Phoenix, with six players in double figures. Kai Ballungay added 17 points, Ken Tuffin had 16, Gian Mamuyac scored 13 and Tyler Tio chipped in 10 as the young Fuel Masters ran the older Bolts to the ground.

Rivero said Phoenix leaned on its youth. “They’re older than us. We’re younger but we also have to look at the bright side of us being young. We have to run and take advantage of the possessions,” he said.

Meralco Bolts Face Long Wait in PBA Governors’ Cup Playoff Race

Meralco led early but could not stop Phoenix’s third-quarter surge. Jordon Varnado poured in 36 points, yet the Bolts could not close the game out down the stretch.

Meralco ended its elimination round at 4-6. It was the Bolts’ first loss in three games with their import substitute, leaving them waiting to see if they can still salvage a playoff spot.

Phoenix’s 5-3 record secured the second playoff berth from Group B and a spot alongside Magnolia in the crossover quarterfinals. Rain or Shine (4-3), Meralco (4-6), Ginebra (3-5) and Blackwater (3-5) will scramble for the last two spots.

With its playoff ticket punched, Phoenix can now look ahead to the crossover quarterfinals. The young core that answered Tiu’s challenge now has a chance to carry that urgency into the next round.