PHOENIX rolled to its second straight win in the PBA Philippine Cup by downing Rain or Shine, 106-102, on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
RJ Jazul presided over a 6-0 run early in the final quarter as the Fuel Masters took control of the game for good, 93-86.
The Elasto Painters had come within 87-86 when Jewel Ponferrada was called for his second technical foul following a landing spot against Jazul.
The Phoenix guard sank the corresponding free throws as the team never looked back from there to book their second win in the last three days.
Jazul finished with a season-high 25 points including a clutch three-pointer with 31 seconds to play that kept a rallying Elasto Painters side at bay, 106-100.
Coach Topex Robinson had nothing but nice words for Jazul, who shot 6-of-8 from three-point range.
“He puts so much emphasis on doing the work, he works a lot, and he lets do the working do the talking for him,” said the Phoenix mentor of his veteran playmaker.
The Fuel Masters now evened their record at 2-2 after starting the season by losing their first two outings, while dealing the Elasto Painters their third straight loss for a 1-3 card.
The loss spoiled the return of Rey Nambatac from injury as the guard out of Letran exploded for a game-high 27 points, including 5-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc.
The scores
Phoenix (106) - Jazul 25, Wright 20, Perkins 17, Anthony 14, Muyang 11, Tio 7, Porter 4, Serrano 4, Mocon 2, Pascual 2, Garcia 0, Lalata 0, Rios 0, Melecio 0
Rain or Shine (102) - Nambatac 27, Belga 15, Nieto 12, Caracut 12, Ponferrada 10, Santillan 9, Demusis 9, Asistio 3, Norwood 3, Torres 2, Mamuyac 0.
Quarterscores:33-25; 54-45; 85-81; 106-100.
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