THIS time, there’s no endgame meltdown for Phoenix.
The Fuel Masters caught a big fish in Northport on Tuesday night as they dealt the league- leading Batang Pier their first loss in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, 115-109, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Unlike in its previous games, Phoenix kept the lead for the most part and then weathered a fourth-quarter fightback by Northport to finally snap out of a four-game losing streak to start the midseason conference.
It was the first loss in six outings for Northport, which fell short of setting the best winning streak in franchise history following the setback.
Import Donovan Smith had a massive 20 points in the third quarter on the way to a game-high 32 points while grabbing 14 rebounds, while Jason Perkins added 24 and Ken Tuffin with 15 for Phoenix, which lost to San Miguel and Meralco by failing to protect huge double digit leads.
RJ Jazul also played a key role in the win, netting 14 points on 3-of-6 shooting from three-point range, the last of which gave Phoenix a 110-102 lead with 1:48 left in the game.
"I just would like to commend all the players. They all deserved this. We're in a hole at 0-4 and you just have to give credit to the players especially the veterans for keeping it together," said Phoenxi coach Mike Jarin.
"This is big. We started at 0-4 and we need to climb back."
The Batang Pier got 28 points and 16 rebounds from import Kadeem Jack, Arvin Tolentino added 23 points and six rebounds, while Joshua Munzon added 18 including a 4-of-6 shooting from three-point range.
But the Fuel Masters played more as a team, netting them a total of 31 asists including nine by guard Tyler Tio. In contrast, the Batang Pier only had 17.
Phoenix also dominated inside the paint, outscoring Northport, 60-36, while likewise having the edge in second chance points, 19-10.
The scores
Phoenix 115 -- Smith 32, Perkins 24, Tuffin 15, Jazul 14, Manganti 9, Soyud 7, Tio 5, Salado 4, Rivero 3, Verano 2, Daves 0, Ular 0, Alejandro 0, Garcia 0.
Northport 109 – Jack 28, Tolentino 23, Munzon 18, Nelle 15, Onwubere 11, Bulanadi 7, Navarro 3, Flores 2, Miranda 2, Yu 0, Cuntapay 0.
Quarters: 29-21; 54-45; 84-76; 115-109.
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