Columbian withstood Alonzo Gee’s scoring explosion to add to the woes of Phoenix Pulse, 106-104, in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Friday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Dyip lost hold of a 14-point lead as Gee scored 16 of his 45 points in the third alone to put the Fuel Masters ahead, but Khapri Alston, CJ Perez, and Rashawn McCarthy came to the rescue.
The trio led a 13-2 blitz to turn a 79-83 deficit to a 92-85 edge with 6:03 to go in the final frame. Columbian reestablished its double-digit advantage, 102-92, with 2:44 left thanks to McCarthy.
Phoenix Pulse tried to fight back one last time but it fell short, enabling Columbian to bag home the two-point win.
Import Alston produced 30 points, 19 rebounds, four steals, three blocks, and two assists in nearly 46 minutes to power the Dyip, who snapped their two-game losing skid to improve to 4-4.
Perez had 28 points, eight rebounds, and four steals as McCarthy added 16 markers and nine boards.
“Sabi ko we had to win. Kasi if we lose, lalayo kami. Masyado kaming mababaon sa ilalim,” said coach Johnedel Cardel.
Jason Perkins had 20 points while Alex Mallari added 11 points, five rebounds, five assists, a steal, and a block for Phoenix Pulse, which absorbed its fifth loss in seven outings.
The Fuel Masters did not have Matthew Wright as the Fil-Canadian sharpshooter just became a father.
Columbian and Phoenix Pulse will take turns facing Magnolia (3-4). The Dyip will face them on Sunday, October 27, still at the Big Dome, and the Fuel Masters on November 6 at Cuneta Astrodome.
The Scores:
Columbian 106 – Alston 30, Perez 25, Corpuz 18, McCarthy 16, Cahilig 7, Tiongson 4, Calvo 4, Khobuntin 2, Agovida 0, Camson 0, Celda 0, Faundo 0.
Phoenix 104 – Gee 45, Perkins 20, Mallari 11, Gamboa 8, Marcelo 6, Jazul 6, Napoles 3, Chua 2, Kramer 2, Garcia 1, Potts 0,
Quarterscores: 28-20, 54-42, 74-76, 106-104.
