Macau scores key victory despite getting boot in PBA debut
It took one win for Barangay Ginebra and Rain or Shine—two teams that did not even suit up on Wednesday evening—to claim twice-to-beat advantages in the PBA Reinforced Conference.
That same victory pushed Meralco, another team that was idle on Wednesday, closer to the same bonus.
And that same result dropped Phoenix into a three-way tie that further muddled up the playoff race.
Funny how that win was forged by a team that is already out of the running.
“It’s always good to finish with a win, but for the organization, it’s good to end on a positive note so hopefully, we bring this to the next conference,” said Macau’s Jenning Leung, who had 32 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks in a 105-98 upset of Phoenix at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The result not only sealed quarterfinal bonuses for the Gin Kings and the Elasto Painters, but it also turned the lower half of the standings into a frenzy-free-for-all for playoff positions.
The Black Knights’ victory, just their third in 12 assignments, dropped the Fuel Masters to a 6-5 record, tied with TNT and Magnolia. All three teams have one game remaining.
The best that any of those teams, or those still in contention below them, can finish is at seven wins, meaning Meralco needs just one more win to tab the last twice-to-beat bonus.
The Fuel Masters could have kept themselves with a stronger shot at the quarterfinal protection, but could not finish off the guest squad.
“We held them off. They made good runs. They have their size, (Jason) Perkins and the import played well but our guys kept composed; they made the plays on the offensive end,” coach Marcus Elliott said.
After leading by as many as 20 points, the Black Knights found themselves trailing by six in the fourth quarter. But Macau launched an 18-4 run capped by a Leung layup at the 2:40 mark of the period for a decisive 101-93 lead.
“I just like how we fought,” Leung said. “There are games when we didn’t fight like we should have and today we showed some fight to get this win.”
Despite getting eliminated in their PBA debut, the Black Knights are hoping to make more guest appearances in the country.
