The Phoenix Fuel Masters had to withstand a furious fourth quarter rally by crowd favorites Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to come out victorious and to return to the win column, 87-82, Friday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Fuel Masters have improved to 3-3 — similar to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters — while adding more woes to the Barangay, who absorbed their third straight loss and dropped to 2-3.
“Nung latter part we were too cautious eh,” said Phoenix head coach Louie Alas of his wards nearly collapsing in the end. “Yun yung mahirap sa team na dinedevelop mo pa yung winning habit. But we’re getting there.
“Alam mo naman yung Ginebra, still in my mind nung twice to beat kami, twice beaten kami,” added Alas, remembering his days with Alaska where the Aces got turned back by Ginebra in the 2017 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Jeffrei Chan, Matthew Wright and Willie Wilson each scored 19 points for the Fuel Masters, who shot 42.9 percent from the floor. Rookie Jason Perkins also made a mark in the win with 12 points and five rebounds.
Phoenix was already ahead by as much as 24 points late in the third, but the Gin Kings stormed back furiously in the final frame by outscoring their counterparts 26-10 to knock within distance, 79-85, with 41.6 seconds left in the game.
Ginebra almost had the comeback completed as they forced Wright to a turnover thanks to a trapping defense with 31.1 seconds remaining, which, moments later, turned to a Kevin Ferrer trey to make it 82-85.
Unfortunately though, 2.8 seconds were not enough anymore to tie the match, or to at least make another bucket. Ginebra had no choice but to foul, and Chan iced the match with his freebies with 1.5 ticks left to play.
Scottie Thompson showed assertiveness as he led Ginebra with 22 points and 13 rebounds with four assists. Japeth Aguilar had 21 markers and nine boards, while Ferrer chipped in 11 spiked by three treys.
LA Tenorio’s slump continues, shooting just 3-of-11 and scoring 10 points. He however added five dimes and two steals.
Phoenix will next face Alaska on January 31, Wednesday, 7:00 PM at Mall of Asia Arena, while Ginebra will have their hands full versus defending champions San Miguel Beermen on Sunday, January 28, 6:45 PM still at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Phoenix 87 – Chan 19, Wilson 19, Wright 19, Perkins 12, Revilla 6, Alolino 4, Mendoza 4, Kramer 2, Jazul 2, Intal 0, Guevarra 0.
Ginebra 82 – Thompson 22, Aguilar J. 21, Ferrer 11, Tenorio 10, Caguioa 6, Cruz 6, Aguilar R. 3, Mariano 3, Taha 0, Mercado 0, Wilson 0, Jamito 0.
Quarterscores: 15-19, 49-29, 75-53, 87-82.
