Phoenix Fuel Masters displayed composure in the final frame to deal erstwhile league leaders NLEX Road Warriors its first loss in the 2018 Philippine Cup, 102-95, Sunday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters had also booked their second straight victory in the process. Both Phoenix and NLEX are now carrying similar 2-1 win-loss cards.
“We’re happy that we were able to contain them. Lahat ng coaches, alam ang strength ng NLEX. Di mo mastop, mali-limit mo lang talaga, and I guess we’re able to do that,” said Phoenix head coach Louie Alas.
Six Phoenix players scored in double figures en route to the victory. Sophomore Matthew Wright top-billed with 19 points along with seven assists while the returning Jeff Chan unloaded 18 markers.
The Fuel Masters gave up a 17-point lead, 90-73, entering the payoff period, no thanks to the Larry Fonacier-boosted 15-2 scoring spree by the Road Warriors that minced the wide gap to just four, 92-88, with 6:05 remaining.
Luckily for Phoenix though, their shots went in and successfully kept NLEX at bay. Jason Perkins’ baseline jumper in response to Kiefer Ravena’s lay-up from the other end widened their lead, 100-92, with just 1:43 left to play.
The Road Warriors still tried to pull off a miraculous run, but their shots could not hit its’ target anymore. Doug Kramer’s lay-up with 29 seconds left served to be the final nail in the coffin that buried NLEX once and for all.
Perkins chipped in 14 points for Phoeni, while Justin Chua supplied 12 markers. Kramer finished with a double-double of 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Fonacier led the Road Warriors with 22 points, with 13 coming in the fourth quarter. Juami Tiongson scattered 12 points and seven rebounds, while big men JR Quiñahan and Michael Miranda scored 10 markers each.
Kiefer Ravena, after stellar showings in his first two games where he averaged 19 points and 8.5 dimes, was limited to just eight markers on a dismal 4-of-13 shooting from the floor. He made up for it though with seven assists.
Phoenix will look to make it a streak as they take on Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on January 17, Wednesday, at 4:30 PM, while NLEX will aim to bounce back versus Magnolia Hotshots next Sunday, January 14, at 6:45 PM. Both games will still be at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Phoenix 102 – Wright 19, Chan 18, Jazul 15, Perkins 14, Chua 12, Kramer 10, Revilla 6, Wilson 2, Intal 2, Dehesa 2, Eriobu 2, Alolino 0.
NLEX 95 – Fonacier 22, Tiongson 12, Miranda 10, Quiñahan 10, Al-Hussaini 8, Ravena 8, Taulava 6, Alas 6, Baguio 4, Gotladera 3, Ighalo 3, Buenafe 3.
Quarterscores: 19-25, 54-53, 88-73, 102-95.
