CHICAGO - The Phoenix Fuelmasters have simplified the math in the complicated equation to make the PBA 50th SeasonCommissioner’s Cup playoffs.
One more win and they’re in.
The Fuelmasters arrived at this safer spot after taking down mighty TNT in overtime, 100-97, at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday night.
“Big, big win,” coach Charles Tiu told me via text message after his team created distance between their ardent pursuers, 5-5 Magnolia and 4-6 Converge.
READ Chot says woeful TNT might as well forget about twice-to-beat bid
With a 6-4 won-lost record, Phoenix only needs to beat either Macau on May 6 or San Miguel on May 9 to claim a postseason ticket.
And here’s a bonus, if they finish at 8-4 they have a decent shot at landing in the Top Four and earn a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.
All of the above opportunities were made possible largely because Ricci Rivero tormented the Tropang 5G.
“Ricci was super, best game he’s had for us. Made the right plays and winning plays on both ends,” coach Tiu said.
The former UP Fighting Maroon finished with 31 points and 11 rebounds while Tyler Tio added 14, including the game-snatching 3 late in the extra session.
WILLIAMS DELIVERS.
Even more impressive was how the Fuelmasters navigated this victory amid the turnoil of an import change.
The gamble of replacing James Dickey III paid off for Phienix as Johnathan Williams seamlessly assumed his old spot with 22 points, 15 rebounds and six assists.
A former Best Import during his first stint with Phoenix in the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup, Williams held his ground against Bol Manute Bol, who scored 30 but missed 15 of 29 field goals.
Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro backed up Bol with a combined 50 points but TNT hit only 10 of 34 attempts from 3 and 40 of 92 overall.
Despite a powerhouse cast that is reinforced by a pricey, big-name former NBAer, TNT stumbled to 6-4.
With Phoenix rising over TNT, Friday was a good night for parity in the PBA.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
