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[av_heading heading=’Phoenix stuns defending champ Beermen in PH Cup’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
By ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – JC Intal came up with crucial hits in the endgame as the Phoenix Fuel Masters scored a 92-85 win over the San Miguel Beermen in the 2016-2017 Oppo PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
After seeing its 17 point lead chopped down to 85-84 late in the fourth quarter, Intal scored back-to-back hits, a two-pointer and a triple, to give the Fuel Masters a 90-84 lead with just 44 seconds remaining in the game.
Intal finished with 22 points off-the-bench to lead the way for the Fuel Masters, which forced a three-way tie at 1-1 win-loss with defending champion Beermen and the TNT Katropa.
Simon Enciso chipped in 15 markers, while rookies Matthew Wright and Angelo Alolino contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Fuel Masters, which bounced back from a 94-87 loss to the Blackwater Elite a week ago.
“I wasn’t expecting na mananalo kami dahil defending champion ang kalaban namin,” said Fuel Masters head coach Ariel Vanguardia. “Pero napatunayan namin sa isa’t-isa na kaya pala. We can compete with this team.”
The Fuel Masters had a strong start in the match behind Enciso, Alolino and Wright to build its largest lead of the game at 47-30 late in the second period following a triple by Intal.
The Fuel Masters maintained its domination in the third frame until the Beermen made its run in the fourth quarter to come to within 82-78. A triple by William Wilson extended the Fuel Masters’ edge to 85-78.
The Beermen then made its last run on back-to-back hits by June Mar Fajardo to come to within 85-84. But the Fuel Masters responded with five straight points from Intal to secure the win.
Fajardo finished with double-double 19 points and 23 rebounds, while Alex Cabagnot added 16 markers for the Beermen, which came fresh from a 96-88 victory over sister-team Star Hotshots./PN
SCORES
PHOENIX 92 – Intal 22, Enciso 15, Wright 14, Alolino 13, Caperal 10, W. Wilson 6, Lanete 4, Torres 4, Baguio 2, Hayes 2, J. Wilson 0, Borboran 0
SMB 85 – Fajardo 19, Cabagnot 16, Espinas 12, Lassiter 12, Santos 10, Garcia 9, Ross 4, Reyes 3, Agovida 0, Semerad 0, Tubid 0
QUARTERS – 26-15, 49-35, 77-63, 92-85
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