PHOENIX has claimed the scalp of another top-tier team in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner's Cup.
Kenneth Tuffin scored a follow-up with 0.7 seconds left as the Fuel Masters claimed their second straight victory, beating second-running Rain or Shine, 93-91, on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Donovan Smith also made the key shots in the fourth with the support of the local crew led by Tyler Tio as the Fuelmasters got back into the quarterfinal race by improving to 3-5.
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Phoenix defeated another league-leader, as the Fuelmasters also brought down current No. 1 NorthPort several weeks ago.
Tuffin's clean-up off a miss by Jason Perkins was the biggest of the game as Phoenix was able to snap its five-game winning streak.
The Fuelmasters also moved to a share of ninth place with NLEX and Magnolia in the team standings as the race for the bottom spots in the quarterfinals intensifies.
Incidentally, Phoenix’s next game is against Magnolia on Thursday.
“This is a big win. Any win in this conference, in this league, is very big,” said Phoenix coach Jamike Jarin. “First winning streak for Phoenix this conference so we’re just happy and very proud.”
Phoenix led by as many as 12 points, 36-24, but contrary to most of their games, the Fuelmasters were able to close out the game by outscoring the Elasto Painters, 23-20, in the final canto.
Smith finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, while Tio scored 16 points and three steals for the Fuelmasters.
A dunk by Smith got Phoenix ahead, 87-80, with 4:28 left in the tussle. Despite being ahead, 91-86, the Fuelmasters conceded five straight points including a twinner by Jhonard Clarito to tie the match.
An ill-advice three by Andrei Caracut over Smith allowed Phoenix to get a crack the win which the Fuelmasters completed. Smith deflected a Deon Thompson three in the game’s final possession.
“We’re happy, but we can't be satisfied kasi we had chances to have a better record. So I blame myself for that. Like what I always say, the most important game is the next game. As soon as we get out of the dugout, we need to rest our bodies and then prepare for the next game. And that is Magnolia.”
RR Garcia had 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Perkins and RJ Jazul had 12 and 11 points respectively. Tuffin added eight points and seven rebounds.
“So, again, all the credit goes to all these players. They are the ones who really puts in the effort and the work. They should be the one being praised by the wins of the franchise,” said Jarin.
Thompson had 22 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and five steals, Santi Santillan had 19 points, and Rain or Shine, which played without Caelan Tiongson and Felix Lemetti due to injuries, remained in second place even with the loss.
The scores:
Phoenix 93 – Smith 22, Tio 16, Garcia 14, Perkins 12, Jazul 11, Tuffin 8, Ballungay 8, Daves 2, Ular 0, Muyang 0, Salado 0, Verano 0, Camacho 0, Alejandro 0.
Rain or Shine 91 – Thompson 22, Santillan 19, Nocum 16, Clarito 11, Caracut 8, Datu 7, Belga 5, Demusis 3, Malonzo 0, Asistio 0, Ildefonso 0, Norwood 0.
Quarters: 17-18; 50-46; 70-71; 93-91.
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