PHOENIX survived a huge fourth quarter comeback by Blackwater to finally break through in the PBA Governors’ Cup, 119-114, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters rode on the hot hands of veteran RR Garcia before import Brandone Francis took over in the endgame to give the team its first ever win of the season.
Phoenix appeared ready to coast to victory early in the third period when it led by as many as 20 points, but Blackwater mounted a big rally in the final quarter behind the three-point shooting of rookie Sedrick Barefield and James Kuwekuteye and threaten at 110-107.
But Francis countered with five straight points and gave the Fuel Masters the breathing room they needed.
“We got a win and we got one over the hump. Hopefully, and we will work harder in our next game,” said Phoenix coach Mike Jarin.
Phoenix stayed at the bottom of Group B with a 1-7 record, but at least gave itself a shot of mathematically staying on track of still earning a berth in the playoffs.
The Fuel Masters will have Barangay Ginebra and NLEX for their final two assignments in the group stage.
Francis had a near triple-double for Phoenix with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, Garcia had 16 of his 20 points in the fourth period, and Jason Perkins with 19 points and nine boards.
The loss was a dampener for Blackwater, which lost for the second straight time and fell at 3-5.
The Bossing had a slow start and were down by 17 at the break.
They fell by as many as 80-60 before Kuweketeye and Barefield found their stride and came through with one basket after the other from beyond the arc to make it a tight contest going home.
Import George King finished with a game-high 32 points, 19 rebounds, and six assists, but was silenced in the fourth quarter.
Barefield shot 5-of-9 from three-point range for 30 points, while Kwekuteye was 6-of-9 from long distance for 20 points.
The scores
Phoenix 119 - Francis 23, Garcia 20, Perkins 19, Rivero 14, Ballungay 12, Tio 7, Ular 5, Tuffin 5, Jazul 4, Soyud 3, Manganti 3, Muyang 2, Salado 2, Verano 0, Alejandro 0.
Blackwater 114 - King 32, Barefield 30, Kwekuteye 20, Rosario 10, Escoto 10, Ilagan 4, Chua 3, Suerte 3, David 2, Micthell 0, Casio 0.
Quarters: 30-29; 64-47; 90-78; 119-114.
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