Phoenix sent Terrafirma skidding all of a sudden, 94-78, in the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup Wednesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Mainly through defense, the Fuel Masters broke away in the fourth quarter from a 64-all deadlock after three on the way to chalking up win no. 1 after starting the conference with losses to NorthPort and Barangay Ginebra, respectively.
“I guess it’s the defensive intensity that we wanted,” said assistant coach Paolo Dizon post-game. “There were times lang na we missed on a few, tapos the energy wasn’t there. The guys locked in and played with the game plan.”
RR Garcia came through with an all-around performance of 20 points, six rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists without a turnover to lead Phoenix.
Garcia scored 16 of his points in the second half, half of which he made in the fourth as he helped his side wrest control of the game early before sparking a 12-0 run toward a 92-78 lead with 1:24 left for the strong finish.
“Sa akin lang kasi, wala si Tyler eh. Kailangan mag-step up,” he said as the team continued to miss Tyler Tio due to a slight fracture on his left ankle.
Jason Perkins made 18 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Ken Tuffin flirted with a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds, while Larry Muyang added 13 as four of the five starters finished in double figures.
Phoenix (1-2) will try to win two in a row as it takes on Rain or Shine on Sunday, March 17, 3 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Javi Gomez de Liano, on the other hand, finished with 19 points and five rebounds to lead the Dyip, which have now dropped their second successive outing after a promising 2-0 start into the season-ending tournament.
Juami Tiongson had 16 points, five rebounds, and six assists but committed seven turnovers. Eric Camson chipped in 10 points in the loss.
Terrafirma missed the services of guard Stephen Holt due to lower back tightness. The 2023 top overall selection was averaging 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists prior to sitting out Wednesday night’s game.
The defeat not only sent the team to its first losing skid of the season-ending conference but it also handed head coach Johnedel Cardel his 100th loss.
The Dyip (2-2) will try to get back on track against the 3-1 Blackwater on Saturday, March 16, 3 p.m. at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Scores:
Phoenix 94 – Garcia 20, Perkins 18, Tuffin 17, Muyang 13, Daves 8, Mocon 8, Jazul 7, Rivero 3, Manganti 0, Alejandro 0, Verano 0.
Terrafirma 78 – Gomez de Liano 19, Tiongson 16, Camson 10, Alolino 8, Sangalang 8, Go 4, Carino 4, Mina 3, Ramos 2, Olivario 2, Calvo 2, Cahilig 0.
Quarterscores: 19-16, 39-44, 64-64, 94-78.
