Phoenix Super LPG caught a big fish following an 82-77 stunner of Ginebra to sustain its winning ways in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup on Saturday night at a packed FPJ Arena in San Jose, Batangas.
Johnathan Williams tallied another 20-20 outing with 24 points and 23 rebounds to lead the Fuel Masters to their fifth successive victory, enabling them to further strengthen their hold of the no. 2 spot of the standings with a 6-1 card.
The former Los Angeles Laker was key in securing the win as well, sinking both of his charities with 1.8 seconds left to shut the door after the reigning champs got to within three points, 80-77, behind LA Tenorio and Tony Bishop.
Kenneth Tuffin supplied 18 points, while JJ Alejandro chipped in 10 markers as the two helped Phoenix regain control of the game by establishing an eight-point lead twice in the final period before the last-ditch attempt by their foes.
The Fuel Masters will look to keep the streak going against Arvin Tolentino and NorthPort on December 20, 4 p.m. at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Bishop, on the other hand, finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists to lead Ginebra, whose three-game win streak got snapped.
Jamie Malonzo made 20 points and 10 rebounds while Christian Standhardinger added 12 points, four rebounds, four assists, and four steals for the crowd darlings, who dropped to 4-2 following the defeat.
The Kings played their second game without Scottie Thompson due to a knee injury, and their backcourt rotation took yet another hit after Nards Pinto suffered an apparent nasal injury at the 3:54-mark of the second quarter.
Pinto got inadvertently hit by Williams during a fight for the loose ball, never to return as he was rushed to the hospital according to a broadcast report.
Still, hit strides in the third and even led by as much as nine, 57-48, but could not keep the momentum going as Williams and Tuffin joined hands to make it close again before Phoenix regained the upper hand in the fourth.
Ginebra will look to bounce back against San Miguel Beer on December 15, 8 p.m. also at the Big Dome in a clash between league heavyweights.
The Scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 82 – Williams 24, Tuffin 18, Alejandro 10, Perkins 9, Tio 7, Muyang 7, Jazul 3, Garcia 2, Rivero 2, Manganti 0, Soyud 0, Mocon 0, Daves 0, Camacho 0, Verano 0.
Ginebra 77 – Bishop 21, Malonzo 20, Standhardinger 12, Cu 6, Tenorio 5, J.Aguilar 5, Ahanmisi 4, Pinto 3, Pringle 1.
Quarterscores: 22-20, 36-43, 58-63, 82-77.
