Meralco, seasoned in numerous playoff battles, demonstrated their experience against a younger Phoenix squad on Wednesday.
Relying on their seasoned approach, the Bolts persevered through three overtimes, securing a hard-fought 116-107 victory and forcing a do-or-die scenario in their quarterfinals matchup.
Meralco’s stunning victory nullified Phoenix’s twice-to-beat advantage.
“Sa amin, whatever it takes. We have been in this situation before,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. “We have to keep that momentum going… We know it’s going to be a battle; we cannot rest.”
After a nerve-wracking fourth period and two tight game extensions, the Bolts unleashed a blistering 10-0 in the third overtime to take the fight out of the Fuel Masters.
Bong Quinto shined the most in that period, knocking down two dagger treys while helping Meralco complete their come-from-behind win.
Quinto felt that the victory was God-sent, citing that Phoenix was struggling to score in that crucial stretch.
“I feel lang na binibigay talaga ni Lord sa amin ang panalo,” he said. “Sa una palang kung para sa kanila talaga, hindi naman nasushoot ang tira nila.”
But Trillo said it was too early to celebrate. They still have to beat the Fuel Masters one more time before they can reach the semifinals.
“Wala pa kaming ginagawa. It’s just one game,” he said.
But he admitted being astonished by surviving a triple overtime, which is the 14th in the history of the PBA.
“I just don’t know how we did that (overtime) three times,” said Trillo.
The post Trillo credits Meralco’s experience in triple OT win: We’ve been in this situation before first appeared on Fastbreak.
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