Macau concluded its maiden PBA campaign on a high after pulling off a 105-98 come-from-behind victory over the playoff-hunting Phoenix in the Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Black Knights leaned on the troika of Phoenix Shackelford, Jenning Leung, and Tony Mitchell for the 9-0 run toward a 101-93 lead with 2:40 left, turning the game around for good to ensure a triumphant finale for the guest team.
“We just ended on a great note,” lauded head coach Marcus Elliott, whose team finished the conference with three wins in the 12 games they played.
“Everybody was hyped, everybody’s cheering for each other. We had a good few days of practice, and our morale was high. We’re looking forward to seeing what’s next for us. But to end on this note is perfect,” he added.
(C) PBA Images
Leung top-scored for Macau with 32 points as his timely hits from afar enabled the crew to trek the comeback trail successfully in the deciding period.
The crew was staring at a 91-86 deficit approaching the last six minutes, but Leung caught fire, knocking down a pair of three-pointers in consecutive fashion to give themselves the 92-91 advantage with 5:07 remaining.
Kenneth Tuffin responded shortly after to put the Fuel Masters back ahead, 93-92, but it proved to be the last time they’d taste the lead as the Black Knights put together the aforementioned run to take the driver’s seat permanently.
Leung hit six triples and a four, and shot an efficient 52.4-percent from the floor. He also had three rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Ramon Cao had 23 points and six rebounds before fouling out late in the game. Shackelford made 13 points, with Mitchell scoring the same amount of points while hauling down 24 rebounds and chalking up four blocked shots.
Chao Xingzhao added 12 markers for Macau, which not only ensured a winning end to its campaign but also spoiled Phoenix’s twice-to-beat hopes.
(C) PBA Images
The Fuel Masters instead find themselves tied with Magnolia and TNT as it dropped to 6-5 following the loss, which proved beneficial for Ginebra and Rain or Shine as they’re now assured of twice-to-beat advantages for the quarters.
Also put to naught by the loss was the conference-high performance of Tuffin, who finished with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting alongside eight rebounds.
Ditto with the all-around showing of Johnathan Williams, who had 20 points, 20 rebounds, and eight assists–that, despite playing with a bum stomach.
Jason Perkins had 20 points and 10 rebounds while Tyler Tio added 13 for a team that missed Ricci Rivero, who sat out after receiving stitches on the left hand that got injured late in their eventual win over TNT the last time out.
The Scores:
Macau 105 – Leung 32, Cao 22, Mitchell 13, Shackelford 13, Chao 12, Chongqui 8, Chen 3, Lu 1.
Phoenix 98 – Tuffin 27, Williams 20, Perkins 20, Tio 13, Nelle 9, Delos Santos 4, Ynot 3, Escandor 2, Santos 0, Daves 0.
Quarterscores: 34-23, 55-51, 75-75, 105-98.
