Just when Globalport Batang Pier thought that they could manage without Terrence Romeo — due to his Gilas Pilipinas commitment — the Phoenix Fuel Masters suddenly gave them a harsh slap of reality.
After a dismal first half, the Fuel Masters gained rhythm in the next 24 minutes to score a much-needed, 84-72 come-from-behind victory to go 2.5 games ahead of Globalport in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“We probably had an ugly halftime. At the half I was really pissed on how we were playing individual basketball so I was just on them, like, show some pride,” said Phoenix head coach Ariel Vanguardia regarding their slow start.
The Fuel Masters were led by Jameel McKay with 22 markers on 19 shots alongside 20 rebounds, while RJ Jazul backed him up with 21 points on a 50-percent shooting with four rebounds in the win, which lifts them to 4-5.
Once behind by 15 in the first half, the Fuel Masters suddenly found their groove on both ends in the third canto, unfurling a 17-5 scoring spree ended by a McKay off-the-glass lay-up at the buzzer to head into the payoff period with a narrow 57-55 cushion.
Globalport still tried to work things out and inched by six, 71-65, after Stanley Pringle’s back-to-back lay-ups. But, Jazul scored five straight off a teardrop and a three-point play, then Chico Lanete made a lay-up to lift Phoenix up 13, 78-65, with exactly 2:00 left to play.
The Batang Pier then never had any chance to impose another serious threat, as they went down to 2-6.
“Good thing is, players like Chico [Lanete], who I seldom use, stepped up today. He was able to spark our run. Norbert Torres hit a couple shots. They answered when we needed,” lauded Vanguardia of the two wards, who had six and five points, respectively.
The Batang Pier were led by Pringle with 25 points on 10-of-20 shooting. Malcolm White though fell two boards short of a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing down eight rebounds. Mike Cortez had 12 on three triples.
Due to Phoenix’s defense especially in the second half, Globalport committed a glaring 27 turnovers, which was converted by the Fuel Masters to 36 points. Phoenix also had more fast break points, 15-8, and second chance points, 19-7.
Phoenix will try to post another win against the Mahindra Floodbuster on May 21, Sunday, at 4:30 PM, while Globalport will take on the Meralco Bolts on May 10, Wednesday, at 4:15 PM. Both games will be played at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
Phoenix (84) – McKay 22, Jazul 21, Baguio 8, Lanete 6, Eriobu 6, Torres 5, Borboran 4, Alolino 4, Dehesa 4, Kramer 2, W. Wilson 2, Intal 0, J. Wilson 0.
Globalport (72) – Pringle 25, White 16, Cortez 12, Aban 7, Quinahan 4, Forrester 3, Pessumal 3, Mamaril 2, Maierhofer 0, Ababou 0, Urbiztondo 0.
Quarterscores: 14-28, 27-36, 57-55, 84-72.
