Phoenix Super LPG caught fire in the second quarter on the way to sending Terrafirma skidding, 103-84, for its third win in a row in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Johnathan Williams set the pace with 29 points and 13 rebounds. And the former Los Angeles Laker spearheaded the game-breaking rally that ultimately enabled the Fuel Masters to rise to solo second in the standings with a 4-1 card.
It is the franchise’s best start to a conference since the 2019 Philippine Cup under Louie Alas, where they eventually finished as the no. 1 seed.
“We’re just playing really good, selfless basketball,” said head coach Jamike Jarin. “One of the reasons is because of the guy on my left. Johnathan Williams is playing really well, he’s playing very selflessly, and he’s leading the team.”
Williams already had 20 in the first half, including nine in the aforementioned period alone. He led their overwhelming 20-2 assault towards a 43-21 lead, and the game would never be in question since.
The Fuel Masters even led by as many as 30 points, 91-61, following RR Garcia’s layup with 7:27 remaining in the game.
RJ Jazul finished with 13 points on a 3-of-5 clip from three-point area. Jason Perkins supplied 11 points and five rebounds, while Tyler Tio and rookie Ricci Rivero chipped in 10 points apiece for the Fuel Masters.
“It’s a collective effort. We’re on a three-game winning streak, so we’re happy right now. But again, you cannot go to the playoffs on four wins,” said Jarin.
Phoenix will try to strengthen its grip on the no. 2 spot further against the winless Converge (0-4) on Saturday, December 2, 3:00 PM at the Philsports Arena.
Thomas de Thaey, on the other hand, had 18 points and 4 rebounds to lead the Dyip, which suffered their second loss in a row and fell to 2-3.
Javi Gomez de Liano had 13 points and seven rebounds. Ed Daquioag had 12 points while main man Juami Tiongson added 10 in the deflating loss.
Terrafirma will look to arrest its skid right away against Barangay Ginebra (3-1) on Sunday, December 3, 6:15 PM, also at Philsports.
The Scores:
Phoenix Super LPG 103 – Williams 29, Jazul 13, Perkins 11, Tio 10, Rivero 10, Tuffin 8, Verano 7, Soyud 6, Lalata 4, Camacho 3, Garcia 2, Daves 0, Alejandro 0, Manganti 0.
Terrafirma 84 – De Thaey 18, Gomez de Liano 13, Daquioag 12, Tiongson 10, Carino 9, Cahilig 7, Miller 6, Go 3, Holt 2, Ramos 2, Alolino 2, Olivario 0, Calvo 0, Camson 0.
Quarterscores: 23-19, 48-32, 78-55, 103-84.
