MANILA – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters caught fire in the fourth period to pull off a 101-93 stunner against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the 2022 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing 74-77 after three quarters, the Fuel Masters opened the fourth with a 14-2 run behind three pointers by Sean Anthony and RJ Jazul and inside shots from Tyler Tio and Kaleb Wesson for an 88-79 edge.
The Kings attempted to come close several times with last at 93-99 on consecutive hits by Earl Scottie Thompson but two free throws by Wesson sealed the victory for the Fuel Masters.
Javee Mocon led the way with 20 points, while rookies Tio and Encho Serrano chipped in 17 and 16 markers, respectively.
With the win, the Fuel Masters improved to a 2-3 slate.
Wesson contributed double-double 15 points and 17 rebounds to go with five assists, while Anthony ended up with 14 points for Phoenix, which scored its second straight win since the reported sale of its squad.
As the Kings dropped to 2-2, Stanley Pringle tallied conference-high 25 points, Justin Brownlee had 23 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, while Jamie Malonzo and Thompson had 13 and 11.
In the first game, Blackwater Bossing used a huge fourth quarter run to frustrate Terrafirma Dyip, 93-86. The Bossing moved up to 3-3 while the Dyip is still win-less in five matches.
Down 63-69, the Bossing went on a 10-0 run behind a three-point play and an inside hit by Cameron Krutwig, a triple by Jeth Troy Rosario and a basket by Rashawn McCarthy for a 73-69 lead.
Both teams traded ties before Blackwater went for the finisher with a three-point play from Krutwig, a three-pointer from McCarthy and four free throws by Baser Amer to secure the win.
Krutwig finished with double-double 29 points and 24 rebounds, Amer contributed 21 markers, while Rosario and McCarthy ended up with 15 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bossing.
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 101 — Mocon 20, Tio 17, Serrano 16, Wesson 15, Anthony 14, Jazul 7, Manganti 5, Garcia 3, Lojera 2, Pascual 2, Camacho 0, Muyang 0, Lalata 0.
GINEBRA 93 — Pringle 25, Brownlee 23, Malonzo 13, Thompson 11, Tenorio 7, J. Aguilar 7, Stanhardinger 6, Gray 1, Pessumal 0, Mariano 0.
Quarterscores: 16-23, 45-48, 74-77, 101-93./PN
