Jason Brickman delivered a PBA breakout game and the Meralco Bolts just pounced on Phoenix Fuel Super LPG’s depleted lineup to pull off a 93-86 win in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo last 21 March.
From a mere three-point game in his PBA debut, Brickman raised the level of his game notches higher, helping the Bolts pull away from a 77-all count enroute to a follow-up to a 109-88 rout of the Converge FiberXers three days before.
The Bolts caught up with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the NLEX Road Warriors at 2-0, just behind solo leader Terrafirma (3-0) while blemishing the Fuel Masters’ erstwhile 2-0 perfect start.
"Medyo kulang ang Phoenix as they played without Kai Ballungay and with Jason Perkins just playing a bit. They’re very important in what they do. But even without those guys, they did a good job in this game," said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.
Also sidelined by an injury was Phoenix guard Tyler Tio.
Even with a tough Phoenix challenged, the Bolts took care of business, with import Marvin Jones, Chris Banchero, Chris Newsome and CJ Cansino delivering the goods with Brickman.
Banchero top scored with 17 points off the bench as Jones came through with a 15-point, 15-rebound double-double, while Newsome and Cansino combined for 21 markers.
"Our first stringers took care of the job and it was complemented well by the bench. The second group kind of put up a good job in the third to build a cushion for us then the first group returned to complete the job," said Trillo.
Shock-troopers making impact with Banchero were Bong Quinto, Aaron Black, Javee Mocon and Brandon Bates.
Quinto tossed in eight points, including a booming four-ball that made it 89-78 entering the last four minutes of the game.
With the win, preserved was Brickman’s breakout performance with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists without a single turnover.
"I’m just excited to be out here in the PBA. I joined a great team and I’m just blending with them," said Brickman.
Negated with Phoenix’s defeat was James Dickey III’s hulking outing with 28 points and 21 rebounds.
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